y 135 
starting from page 356. ! here is much truth in the contentions 
of the London Correspondent to Pioneer and he has errecl in so lar 
he has understated the' case. I must respectfully differ with the 
Editor’s note on page 359, and 1 would ask you to read enclosed 
cutting from the Draper Textile Mercury Magazine of Commerce. 
Jt is absurd to expect buyers to contract till they know what the 
planter can produce. The planter is afraid to experiment. It is 
in his power to start cautiously if he will and prove his produce 
can be used but he cannot expect Costly Machinery to be fitted 
here in the hope he will at some future time feed it. There are 
more mills now than the Indian Crops can supply. This is proved 
by the high prices obtained for Raw Material. I note Mr. BAXEN- 
DALE tries retting and expects same result with Ramie from Flax 
methods. Treat Ramie as it should be not as one does other fibres. 
Filasse Ramie on the plantation. Till this is clone all the disappoint- 
ments mentioned by Mr. BAXENDALE will continue. First there is 
the loss in freight and not least the greater difficulty and expense 
in treating Ribbons. Why not produce as the Chinese do if your 
planter won’t Hlasse, but 1 expect the ribbons were brown “Rhea ” 
ribbons as they are known by here and though I can treat them, 
1 must admit the China supplies yield better results. But even 
brown ribbons would find a regular market and if Mr. BAXENDALE 
will guarantee regular supplies I can assure him a demand. I note 
Mr. Baxendale thinks it is the spinner who has to be con- 
verted. Let me assure him the trade are anxious for supplies but 
cannot get planters to guarantee supplies. No mill can work with 
intermittent feeding, the quantity and quality must be regular. 
Mr. BAXEXDALE’s idea of the quantity used in incandescent gas 
mantle is quite misleading, 1 know factories that have orders booked 
h months ahead. If your planters are prepared to supply one thou- 
sand tons per week 1 am able to find them customers. What 
produce does Mr. Baxendale refer to, as far as 1 can gather he 
has 400,000 plants, how far could that go towards keeping a mill 
employed, but even that small amount if sent regularly will be- 
taken. Mr. BAXENDALE talks of small farmers wanting hydraulic 
presses, &c., as well as talk of tanners establishing mills to grind a 
few acres ol corn. When the growers are there then the middle 
man will be there to collect Hlasse bale &c., &c. As to not recom- 
mending the Government to take the matter up, this rests with your 
Colony, but you will find to your cost the trade will he captured 
by others; already the German Government are subsidising their 
African Colonies and encouraging Ramie production, and the 
french are capturing the Indian planters for the supplies now 
being grown in India are for French markets. Mr. BAXENDALE’S 
results should suffice to convince anyone. £18 13^. qd. per acre 
what other crop produces it. I would suggest you print and cir- 
culate the Article I send you from the Draper. Alt the proof you 
want is obtainable, ft is quite true a very different state of things 
exists now than when Mr. BAXENDALE was hum. How is it the 
Japs and Chinese do so well with Ramie. That should suffice to 
prove there’s an Industry lurking at your door. Once Ramie takes 
