10 
3PBOCEEDEKGS OS THE SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION. 
stems, &c., wlien growing, by deducting one-fifth from 
the total area of the acre. This would give, according to 
the percentage of fibre on the stem as given by Mr. Hall, 
and which I have good reasons for supposing would be 
the production here, about 800 lbs. fibre per acre, which, 
at a price of £60 per ton, would value about £24. 
The returns that may be expected from the cultivation 
of the Ramie in this country being thus comparatively 
low, it will be obvious, that to carry it on profitably, 
labor and some degree of special skill in the industry must 
be abundant and cheap. Rut these conditions do no ; 
exist in this country, and therefore it can hardly be ex- 
pected that, even if taken up, this cultivation will become 
extensively established in the colony under the disadvan- 
age of scanty population, and consequent high priced 
labor, particularly as under these disadvantages there are 
other cultivations already well established, "which might 
be vastly extended with certainty of remunerative results. 
2. Report of ihs Secretary to oQth September, 1871. 
In accordance with the wish expressed at the last meet- 
ing of the Associatien I beg to present the following report 
upon its condition. 
On the 30th September last the Association was com- 
posed of the following numbers : 
Members. 20 
Honorary Members 1 
Corresponding Members . 10 — Total 31. 
Of the above 20 members 11 have expressed their desire 
to continue to belong to the Association, and 5 are absent 
ikum the island. Prom the remaining 4 no answer has 
