Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-23

because these have yet too young and
tender roots to resist severe frosts and
freezings. Those planted early in spring
and fore part of the summer do not need
any protection, as they will make roots
eighteen to twenty-four inches deep. All
refuse matter falling of in cleaning the
fibre ought to be fed, or dried, and put in
the barn for winter use. All the manure
coming from the plant ought to be care
fully gathered and brought back TO the
field. In this way such field will give a
rich return for many years, without need
Of being replanted. The experience in
regard TO what kind of soil will be the
best, and whatever soil will produce this
plant, is until now limited, but so much
is certain, that sandy, rich loan suits the
plant very well, or any soil which has
understanding sub soil. Wherever rain
falls from time TO tiEe the plant can be
grown as far North as cotton, or as far
North as the earth does not freeze more
than four inches deep in winter time. The
best sections of this country will be the
southern part Of Texas, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Caro-
lima, and Florida whole. More experience
will bring this plant acclimated to many
places, whereas, now It's supposed it could
not be cultivated.
USE OF THE RASIIE.
The ramie is useful in two ways 1t cons
tains, first, silklike fibre Of uncommon
strength and fineness, and second, furnishes
the refuse matter an excellent food for
stock, which can in quality be compared
favorably with clover, "a stated by the well
/ known bOtanist, i. ROezl, who introduced
this plant last spring in this country. The
fibre not only will replace the cotton, bnt
is bound TO be a strong rival TO fax. In
strength this fibre is nearest to the silk
and as there is little more experience and
intelligence brought in requisition by the
cultivation and manufacturing thereof, il
will be merely question Of time, and il
will be the best substitute for silk. Sup
pose this plant having none of this useful
fibre, its cultivation would be of immense
advantage as food for stock in a great many
sections Of the South. Another most i'm
porlant pointin Introducing the ramie here
is its easy and almost certain cultivation
because the first year its cultivation does
not give more work than sweet potatoes, and
afterwards the main labor and most all the
labor consists in harvesting. The quantity
of fibre will be more than cotton, notwith
standing it being worth more than twice
the price Of the best cotton.
From the refuse matter of the stem Their,
can be gum manufactured Chemistry
and American enterprise will soon deyeloI
it. In case field should be turned ovel
after series of years for some other pur
pose, then the roots and bulbs will make
excellent food for hogs, or can be manufac-
tured into durable dye.
The fences have to be kept in good or
der, because if COWS or hogs are once &C
customed TO il, they will break down pool
fence. During the winter time COWS anC
sheep can be turned in ramie fields, but
neither horses nor hogs. The plant unit
now has no destructive enemies. The 90
called nettle worm makes in some seasons
its appearance, but does never hurt tn,
fibre, and is satisfied with the lower leaves
of the plant, and is, in this way, harmless
| Concerning the cleaning of the fibre
there is a cheap and very effective machine
invented by Il. Roezl. With his assistanc,
! shall give detailed explanation in an
other article. | have also entered into co
partnership with Mr.. b. Roezl for the sal,
of plants so az to be able to furnish root
direct from Mexico, or young growing
plants acclimated here. Any other informa
ton will be cheerfully given by the under
signed or by my partner, Mr.. b. Roezl
who is at present in New Orleans superin
tending the erection of machines, one o
which will he on exhibition st the mex
State fair of Louisiana, which begins OF
the 9TH January next.
q. HUHZIKER.
| Summit, Miss, Dec "A, 1867.