The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-05-20
3aluaiialt Gazette.
Rnmie. or Chin Gras..
WEDNESDAY MAY 20 1856

The following account Of Ramie will be in
te-estiDg 10 those desirous of embarking in
lhis industry:
Ramie is a perennial plant of the nettle
tribe U77icca) 1t is also called "Boehmiria,
from the name of the botanist who first CLASH
fed it. Though kindred 10 hemp, it is far
superior in galne, inasmuch as it is perennial.
1t grows like the willow, and sends forth nu-
merous stalks several times year; the roots
run deep into the ground, and the stalks attain
height Of from five TO six feet, according to
soil and climate;-it draws its nutrition from
the ARIA much as from the ground. The an
pual Weld is from two TO three and even four
crops, according to latitude.
HOW TO PLANT.
The Ramie plant is pre- eminently abundant
! in fibre and furthermore has the great advan-
taGe Of a rapid self-propagation with frag-
nents OF root or of stalk by cuttings. The
soil being properly prepared, the Ramie roots
are planted in the same way as potatoes, at a
depth Of five inches, foot apart from each
other, in burrows three feet apart. The roots
must be carefully covered with soil as it is
done in the case of potatoes. To obtain full
Weld it is necessary to set out a considerable
number of roots. One acre will furnish 20
rows of 2l0 seed in length, which at the rate
Of one plant a foot will give 1900 roots for a
good planting. This will give close planting
which is necessary for thick growth and
straight stalks. Beginning by 1000 or 5000
roots or young plants, planters make their
own nurseries in garden and thus extend
their field at will from ratoons and roots.
YIELD.
These Il, 200 roots will produce on an aver
age at least, Is stalks each, or 100000 per
acre at every crop.
The crude bark Of every stalk weighs Is
o., consequently l2s stalks give 10. The
22O, 900 stalks therefore give total Of / ,I20
pounds, which, at cents per pound, makes
gross return Of SS6 per acre for each crop.
This shows an annual gross return of at least
Sl72, as two crops are sure, and as in these
Islands three or four crops can be raised, the
profitable nature Of the cultivation Of Ramie
can thus be seen by every one.
ExPENsE
The cultivation is cheap. After one good
blowing and narrowing, one passage of the
culiivalor is generally sufficient. as the plant
once started, rapidly ouigrows all weeds, and
soon shades tho ground with a luxuriant foil
age The only comparatively great Guilty is in
The roofs required for a first planting, but when
it is considered that this outlay has to be made
but once, and that the roots are constantly
producing new ones for the further extension
Of the plantations, the cost is in fact small,
when apporiioned 10 each year.
HARVESTING.
The maturity of the Ramie is indicated by a
brownish color at the lower end OF the stalk.
The cutting is done by mower The stalks
are tied up in bundles of two or the hundred
and carried to the stripping machine, through
which they are passed. This last operation
should be performed while the stalks are as
fresh as possible, within few days of cut
ing.
SEPARATION or THE CRUDE BARK.
This is now easily effected by simple hand
Dowe? Decorticator, which can be operated in
he field OF under a shed. il consists of two
iuted -crushers, which break the stalks, and of
! moving scraper, which throws off the wood,
eaving the separated crude bark TO fall below.
Three or four hands can produce 500 pounds
rude bark daily, aud the refuse matter, leaves
md wood, constitute an excellent manure
The crude bark of Ramic has been estimated
" various large manufacturers at five cents
Der pound dried and baled.
COMDING, SPINNING AND WEAVING.
In China, Japan and other eastern countries,
Ramie goods have been in use for centuries.
The slow and costly process of hand scraping
las hitherto materially interfered with the |
of Ramie in Europe and America.
There are processes now patented which will |
vercome these difficulties.