The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-03-19
.RAMIE IN TNDIL.
Efforts o< the British Authorities to
Utilize the Fibre.

The experience Of the last few years haVing
demonstrated to the world that the East can
never hope for success in Its rivalry with these
Southern States as TO cotton culture, we find
the Government of India turning its attention
to the ramie plant. The last foreign mail
brings lis the following official announcement,
which has been circulated In various countries
through the medium of the British consulates.
The liberal offer 1t conveys may be of interest
TO some of our ingenious nachinists or in
ventors:
]. The Government of India, after communi-
cation with various agricultural and horticul-
tural societies in India, and with persons In
terested in the subject, has arrived at the con-
clus!on that the only real obstacle to the de-
velopment of an extensive trade In the fbre OF
Rheea, or China-grass, Is the want Of suitable
knlachinery for separating the fibre and bark
! from the stem, and the fibre from the bark,
the cost OF elTtcting such separation by manual
labor being great.
., The demand for the fibre Is now large,
and no doubt might be extended with reduced
prices, and there is q practically unlimited en-
tent of country In India where the plant could
be grown.
.. The requirements Of the case appear to be
Inc, with the aid Of animal, water, or steam
mower. 4 ton of fibre of quality which shall
average in value not less than sou. per ton In
the English market at q total cost, all process
as of manufacture and allowance for wear and
tear included, of not more than l5L. per ton.
The said processes are to be understood to In
clude all the operations performed, after the
cutting and transport of the plant to the place
of manufacture, to the completion of the manu-
E,of of Bf,rn IF In 0hOVn lpSrribPI
The machinery must be simple, strong, dura-
bic and cheap; and should be suited for erec-
ton at, or near, the plantations, as the refuse
Is very useful us manure Tor continued culll-
! vation.
4. To stimulate the invention, or adaptation
of such machinery or process, the government
of India hereby offers prize OF 5OOot for the
machine and process tina. best funls oil the re-
Qnrements named above.
s. Rewards OF moderate amount will be
given for really meritorious inventions, even
though falling TO meet entirely all the condi-
| tionS named.
G. Arrangements will be made by the Gov
eminent Of India for the supply OF carefully
dried stems, and specimens OF fibre separated
| from the bark, but subjected to no other pro-
cess, 10 mechanical firms and others deslrous
Of competing, on application TO the secretary
| TO the Government Of India in the home de-
| partment.
Z. All machinery, &C., must be brought by the
competitors, at their own charge, to u locality
which will be notified hereafter, probably In
the Northwest Provinces or the Punjub and
there worked under the supervision Of their
own representatives for q sufficient time to
enable the Judges appointed by government
TO determine whether all the conditions named
have been complied with. The prize machine
is TO be transferred, If required, to govera-
ment at 5 per cent. above cost price; the patent
| right In any such machine to be also transfer
red. If required, to government, on the lat
t"r securing to the nltcntee royalty Of 8 per
cent on the cost price Of all machines manu-
featured under the patent during Its currency.
8. One year from the date of this advertise
ment will be allowed for the preparation Of
the machines, and their transport to the locali-
ty named for the competition, and the trials
will then be made, and the decision OF the
judges announced. If no invention of suf1i-
cient merit Is received in the above named
period to obtain the prize offered, the govern
ment will continue to allow machines to be
rendered for trial till the end Of two years from
the same date. after Which, or on the award OF
the prize, the offers herein made will be with
drawn.
By order Of the Governor General in Council.
(Signed) L. G. BAYLEY,
Secretary TO the Government OF India.