'All these products—the filasse, the gum and the pulp—would 
command good prices In England, and If your manufacturers will treat 
the fibre in the Colony there is no reason why the yarns should 
not be sent over here after retaining sufficient for your home 
supplies. 
“ If the government will fall in with my suggestions, I shall 
be pleased* to offer my services on the principle ‘no cure, no pay' — 
i.e., I am content to take my remuneration in share of profit. 
{£ If the government is of opinion the trade would be best 
conducted by private enterprise, I think the initial stages should 
be fostered by the government making the preliminary experiments as 
to growing, &c., offering planters the seed or plants, either free 
or at very low rates, and by offering assistance in the shape of loans 
for planters to get large tracts under cultivation, and to the 
District Councils to enable them to put up decorticating and 
degumming stations, and by recommending capitalists to take up the 
planting, filassing, spinning, weaving, &c. I think the government 
would do wisely to advertise the possibilities of the fibre and the 
reason the Textile of the future will have such a prominent place 
in our industries. 
1st.—It is many times stronger than cotton, flax, hemp and the like . 
2nd.—It has a very long staple from 3 to 9 ins, 
3rd. — It is easily grown, as it acclimatises itself in almost any 
zone where agriculture is possible—of course with varying 
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, 
5 th.—It does not rot, giving it, for many purposes , such as fishing 
lines, nets, sail cloth, ropes, boot and saddlery thread, tar¬ 
paulins, rick cloths, tents, hose, shop blinds, boot linings 
and other requirements necessitating exposure to damp, 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. 
7th.—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 excels. It makes splendid 
cloth for uniforms, and almost indestructible table linen, 
sheeting, dress goods, velvets, curtains, lace, tapestry and 
upholstery purposes, lamp wicks, waistcoatings, 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 
toughness alone commend it as a material that is invaluable 
for its indestructible qualities. 
There are many purposes for which its peculiar properties 
maxe 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 sufficent 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 degumming stations 
except on large scale. Small parcels of fibre can be shipped and 
the degumming can be done here. 
Stamps of Colony should accompany all requests for particu¬ 
lars as a proof it is not an idle enquiry. 
If further information is required hew to procure seed, 
plants, and cultivate and prepare the fibre for the market, arid how 
to dispose of the produce, also advice as to the installation of 
degumming and filassing stations, manufactories, &c.—in short, any 
assistance I can give to encourage the world-wide cultivation 'of 
this fine fibre, you have but to apply to 
1 ‘ D. EDWARDS-RADCLYFFE, 
‘‘ 25, Birchington Road, 
“West Hampstead, LOUDON. 1 ' 
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