359 
bearing on her industrial future than that which relates to the 
initiation of new avenues for the employment of planting capital, 
at a time when, in some directions it had been hard hit by currency 
changes and excess of production. There can be no doubt what- 
ever ‘that is the raw material is extensively grown in India for 
utilisation by the English and Continental manufacturers, ramie 
spinning and weaving mills will in course of time spring up in the 
great commercial centres of the country, and thus India will par- 
ticipate in ramie manufacture, as she participated to-day in the 
production of cotton goods made from her own raw material. Thus 
a great step forward will be taken in the industrial development 
so essential to adequately relieving the pressure on the soil, which 
though temporarily retarded of late by an unusual succession ol 
famines, must become more and more acute with the growth ol 
population and the rise in the slandard of comfort now being wit- 
nessed. Even in the early years of ramie cultivation we may 
expect to see some of the preliminary processes of manufacture, 
particularly that of degumming carried out on the plantations prior 
to shipment to Western factories, in order to reduce the cost of 
freight. On economic grounds therefore every encouragement 
should be given to Indian planters to grow' ramie of the right kind 
and in the right way. There is reason to believe that the plant can 
be cultivated successfully in other countries beside China and India 
and it behoves the captains of the planting industry in the latter 
Empire to establish her share in the promising industry before the 
ground is occupied elsewhere and India is put out of the running. 
At the very least, to quote the formula in such general use just 
now in connection with inter-imperial fiscal relations* the case is 
one for full and careful enquiry, for the policy of the open eye and 
the open mind. 
(We reproduce this sanguine letter in apposition to the important 
correspondence from Mr. BaxENDALE, in order to show the view- 
taken by people at home on the subject. It is quite clear it seems 
that the reasons . why ramie culture is only a nascent industry in 
the East at present lie with the buyers and not with the planter. 
The perseverance and energy of Mr. BaxendaLE deserves a much 
higher reward than has been accorded to him by the Home Syndi- 
cates. — Ed.) 
2 j, Birchington Road , 
West Hampstead, N. W. 
To the Agent-General, 
1 would call your attention to the possibilities of Ramie 
(Rhea), which undoubtedly is the Textile of the future. If you 
can grow' this fibre, wTiich is easily cultivated, there is a vast trade 
with Europe possible. It would be specially welcome in England 
as a rival to cotton, and wo,uld do much to prevent the corner in 
cotton so easilv workeJ by American capitalists, as experience 
\ 3 > 
"AV*- 
