139 
rorn. the axils of the leaves. They resemble those of an English 
\ettle and are greenish white. The stems of the plant are woody, 
ibout as thick as a pencil and when full grown are reddish brown 
tii colour. „ , . 
The variety tenacissima is distinguished by its leaves being 
greener, sometimes quite green on the backs, and though theie 
’re forms of it in which the backs are whitish, they have not the 
onspicuous white colour of the real China grass. The home of 
his variety is not clearly known, but it occurs either wild or as 
i escape from cultivation in Assam, Burma, Bengal and Su- 
tra, whence I have recently received plants. It is generally 
id that the white-leaved ramie grows in temperate or sub- 
mperate regions, and the green-leaved rhea in hot climates, 
he former has been grown successfully at Kew, out of doors, but 
he latter has failed. Both kinds are in cultivation m the Bota- 
iic Gardens in Singapore, and both grow exceedingly readily, the 
hea, however, does seem to grow a little faster. At the same 
ime, as Indian rhea is stated to fetch always a lower price than 
hiina grass, and the latter grows quite rapidly enough for all 
ractical purposes here, it would be most desirable to grow ramie 
i preference to rhea. 
Cultivation .— The plant is always grown from cuttings, unless 
t is for any reason absolutely essential to use seed. But raising 
rom seed is easy enough though slow, although as the stems are 
r should be cut before the plant flowers in a plantation, it would 
)Q difficult to procure ripe seed. Almost any bit of the stem if 
ifficiently woody will grow, but it is best to make rooted cuttings 
rom the base of the plant. The stems underground push out sto- 
jns in all directions which are in old clumps often tuberous, and 
(ortions of these speedily emit branches, when cut and planted. 
Cuttings should be shaded at first till they are well established. 
Soil and climate . — Very nearly any soil will do for ramie, except 
ery stiff clay, or very wet soil. Flooding quickly kills it. 
Partial shade suits it well, but it will grow exposed to full sun. 
t suffers somewhat from draught, but plants growing in the full 
un, in very poor soil in the Botanic Gardens not only survived 
he very hot and dry weather in the early part of the year, but 
-Tew steadily though slowly. 
The climate of the Malay Peninsula is very well suited for 
imie, because of the constant rain and absence of a dry season. 
constant change from very hot and dry to heavy rain not only 
oes not suit the plant but spoils the fibre, which grows irregu- 
'-trlv unless there are no great variations of climate. 
1 Manure . — The plant is certainly much improved by manuring, 
ood ash and cowdung seem to suit it best. These can be dug 
ito the ground when it is first prepared for planting and later 
.gain when the plants having overcrowded themselves have to be 
lug up and separated. 
Growth . — The rapidity with which the plants produce stems 
.epends mainly on the size of the clumps. Rooted cuttings, or 
