The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-09-11
SEPTEMBER IL, 1879


This important discovery was not to be
ol1owed to slumber. NJ. LIE Franc reported
i 70 the New Jersey Bureau of Statistics of
Labor and industries, and also determined
70 oo into the manufacture of jute and the
raisino of the Devils Plant The bu-
roam cave its cooperation, and issued, un-
dor its seal, an offer from NJ. Franc to pay
e;obt dollars per ton for the straight jute
stalks. not less than three or four feet in
height. delivered in Camden. The circu-
lar also advised farmers to 60 into the Guilt
vation of the plant, and gave important in
formation relative to the sowing of seeds,
methods of planting and other particulars.
This circular was the first information which
the Jersey ag%riculturists received of the
nrize which was contained in their former
enemy.
The cultivation of the ''Devil's Plant" is
TO be generally followed in different parts of
New Jersey. AS the plant is also to be
found in this State, it is anticipated that
PENNSYLVANIA farmers may find it to their
nroit to devote some attention to it. The
discovery is calculated to have an import
ant effect upon the trade of the country.
It's ultimate result will undoubtedly be to
render the United States independent of
the world for a commodity which is now
cOSIlu0 Jul AoAiy WV
600 annually. The total importations of
hemp. flax, ramie and jute into this country
are valued at over $50, 600, 600 a year. The
lutte alone represents onc-third of this
amount. The supply comes exclusively
from India, and the ~latter's trade in it has
become the leading staple of Bengal. In
this country jute is used for numberless pur-
poses, among them for rope and carpet
backs. 1t is also frequently mixed with
linen in the manufacture of cloths. Eng
land, and in fact the whole of Europe, are
dependent upon the Indian plantations for
their supply. The New Jersey bureau is
authority for the statement that "extensive
jute rope manufacturers of Philadelphia
have offered to buy any quantity at the high
est jute market price; that the long fiber IS
equivalent to that of the Calcutta prime
jute, and that the manufacturers admit the
superiority of the American variety over the
imported.' In the face of this testimony it
is not too much to hazard the opinion that
ere many wears America will not only sup
ply the home demand for the staple, but
will also be able to inaugurate an export
trade. At least, so think those connected
with the enterprise.
In April of last year the Record announ-
ced that the government of India had Of
fered a premium of S25, 600 to any lndlvid-
ual or company which could invent the best
machine for the preparation of ramie or
Indian grass. The treatment of these
plants in that country as we'll as in China,
is entirely by hand. This offer ,,came to the
notice of Mr.. Nj. LIE Franc. who has in
vented a process which is claimed to be the
very thing for which the English govern
ment is seeking. With this invention he
has prepared some American ramie, and
produced a staple next in appearance to
silk. He has also ascertained that the
ramie plant is indigenous to the soil in this
part of the country, and as it in regard to
importation ranks next to jute, it can be
made to join with that plapt in increasing
the wealth of the country. Imported ramie
is extensively used in this country by man.
ufacturers, who mix it with silk and woven
fabrics. 1t is also made into sewing and
shoe thread on a large scale.