36 1 
bilities of the fibre and the reason the Textile of the future will 
have such a prominent place in our industries: 
ist . — It is many times stronger than cotton, flax, hemp and 
the like. 
2nd . — It has a very long staple from 3 to 9 inches. * 
3rd . — It is easily grown, as it acclimatises itself in almost any 
zone where agriculture is possible — of course with va- 
rying results, as it crops in some latitudes as many as 
four times per annum. 
4th. — It is beautifully lustrous, more after the nature of silk 
in appearance. 
5th ' — -It does not rot, giving it, for many purposes, such as 
fishing lines, nets, sail cloths, ropes, boot and saddlery 
thread, tarpaulins, rick cloths, tents, hose, shop blinds, 
boot lining and other requirements necessitating ex- 
posure to clamp, great advantages. 
6th. — It is non-elastic — herein it is invaluable for machinery 
belting and ropes, measuring tapes, mixed with wool it 
imparts non-shrinking possibilities to that article, and 
many other purposes where rigidity is an advantage. 
ylh. — I could further expatiate on its merits, but space forbids, 
I will curtail my remarks by stating there is nothing, 
wool, cotton, flax, hemp, jute, and even silk produces, 
this fibre cannot imitate and in most cases excel. It 
makes splendid cloth for uniforms, and almost indes- 
tructible table linen, sheeting, dress goods, velvets, 
curtains, lace, tapestry and upholstery purposes, lamp 
wicks, waist- coatings, trousers duck, riding breeches, 
&c. It is an ideal hygienic clothing, invaluable for 
underwear. 
It is pronounced by the Medical profession as the 
most advantageous surgical dressing and for body wear. 
I will wind up by pointing out its durability and tough- 
ness alone commend it as a material that is invaluable 
fair its indestructible qualities. 
There are many purposes for which its peculiar properties make 
it extremely valuable — for instance incandescent gas mantles. It 
excels all other fibres, and in this alone an ever increasing demand 
will -consume enormous quantities. I could instance many other 
purposes but I think the foregoing quite sufficient to extol the 
merits of 
RAMIE THE TEXTILE OF THE FUTURE. 
Small farmers wishing to start Ramie growing can do so without 
any great outlay, and they can prepare the fibre for export without 
costly machinery. I do not recommend degu mining stations except 
on large scale. Small parcels of fibre can be shipped and the 
degumming can he done here. 
Stamps of Colony should accompany all requests for particulars 
as a proof it is not an idle enquiry. 
