The record-union., 1891-04-01
MORE ABOUT RAMIE.
Good Prospects for a Station in Sac.
ramento County.
The Board of Trade VIII Probably CO.
operate With the Sacra-
mento Grange.

liio IooeIu VI IIdue ySStGTudy dIU0flOOn
to consider the subject of rarnie culture.
But there was no quorum, and conse-
quently no meeting.
The President did not put in an ap-
pearance himself, and the only ones
present were Vice-President Hopkins,
Secretary Johnson and Directors Peter
son and Coleman. w. III. Murry, Secre-
tary of the California Ramie Company,
was there with several bundles Of samples
of what could be made from thet ramie
fiber, and numerous Autographs. De-
spite the fact that there was no meeting
Mr.. Murray was not asleep, and took
occasion to thoroughly inform the direc-
tors and RECORD UNION reporter on the
subject Of ramie culture.
SACRAMENTO JUST THE PLACE.
During the last six MONTHS" said Mr.
Murray, Il have become very much in
terested in this new industry. You gen
tlemen probably remember the fine ex-
hibitS that were shown at the last State
| Fair, and the exhibit of ranlie and the
machine for working the ramie plant.
took an interest in the matter at once,
and became connected with the company
| which | now represent. We were fur
nished the only raInie stalk obtaill&hie in
California by Professor K. w. Hilgard
of Berkeley, grown at his experimental
gardens. / found that the dry climate of
the Sacramento Valley was just the place
for ramie culture, and the fiber produced
was good merchantable article.
1.-The ramie plant is native of the East
Indies; it is the finest OF fiber variety,
and is known TO science under the name
of 'Boehmeria Tenacissma' which may
be popularity described as a gigantic net
tie Without stings. From ramie a fiber is
~ tod
ment, is superior to that of any other
textile plant. Unlimited seems to be the
uses to which it may be put for
MANUFACTURING PURPOSES.
The fiber. when prepared for the spinner,
| Is beautifully white, soft and glossy,
closely resembling floss silk in appear
ance. 1T is forty per cent. stronger than
the best flax, and readily receives the
most difficult dyes without injury to it's
strength or luster. Carefully prepared, it
may be made as fine as silk one-half
ramie, one-half silk; no other fiber can
blend so well, while its coarser products
may be made heavier and more durable
than the strongest tow. It is fine, it is
strong, and, as its name "HenacisSima'
implies. it is durable. Velvet and laces
made of ramie will last a lifetime, and are
almost as beautiful as If made of silk In
fact, whatever fabric is demanded, from
the iigntest gauZe to the heaviest canvas,
ramie will supply. 1t stands TO reason
that the building up of an industry based
upon the cultivation of this plant opens
up vast possibilities.
''Ramie seems to be destined to take o
pre-emlnent place among manufactures
of this nature in the worlds commerce.
The world has to be clothed, and that ar
ticle which will accomplish the object in
the best manner, and for the least money,
must lead in supplying the market That
article is ranie; and its general intro
duction will start up numbers of factories
to give employment to our people. Let
your people pay such attention to this
matter as its importance demands, and
America, instead of paying tribute to the
skilled labor of the Old World, will
manufacture
! CHEAPER AND BETTER MATERIAL
Than can be produced from either cotton
or silk. No part OF the United States is
better adapted to the cultivation of this
plant than the Pacific Coast. Especially
is this the case with California, her soil
and climate eminentiy fitting the natural
conditions of ramie. Ramie is perennial ::
it is enormously productive, estimated at
400 pounds of fiber per acre of three to
four cuttings yearly, and will not require
replanting for many years. from ten TO
twelve; when once thoroughly estab-
lished it requires but little care no pIow-
ing or cultivating after first three months:
it is not attended with more labor and
expense than alfalfa; the fiber cannot be
injured by insects; failures of crops are
unknown, the root has tap-root that
looks for moisture, and the full import
ance OF this industry, both from an agri-
cultural and commercial point Of view
will be fully recognized.
''In connection with this, the attention
of the agricultural societies of the coast
as well as the public at large, VIII shortly
be drawn to this subject, and we trust
that ere long textile working classes and
weaving schools will be established. add
ing to the resources of the coast very
materially. L wish to show samples of
this ranie manufactured to YOU in the
frames. You can see how this would
give employment to a large number of
people, TO have mills established in this
vicinity. But what i wish to say, with
the water-power privileges that viii be
offered in the near future, il is to be
hoped that Sacramento City will have
spinning mills 10 make threads, twines.
etc. Here is golden opportunity for
you to think about; this home industry
should be fostered by all.
SHOULD STAY AT HOME.
"The California Cotton Mills at Oak
coming from New Orleans or Texas
yearly. So it Will be with ramie. The
freight to Boston or Liverpool will be
just that much paid out that should be
saved and retained at home. We pay out
several millions of dollars on hemp and
julie goods yearly. Ramie viii have TO be
sent out of this country, and that viii be,
say two and half cents freight to New
York or Liverpool, two cents for clean
ing and working the same, and three
cents to the farmer. Then the small
expenses will make up the price quoted
TO the newly incorporated ramie COM
pany. All this would have to be paid
cut. What 1 wish to make clear is all the
fibers OF commerce can be raised in Cali
fornia, and should be manufactured at
home.
Il have with me United States Gov
ernment book, published by the Depart
ment of Agriculture, and it says: 'Ramie
threads are worth IS cents to 81 in the
gray, and in colors, 81 so TO 81
per pound The fiber can be worked in
cotton and wooden machinery The
profits are to be seen in this illustration;
the manufacturer has the good large
share. The California Ramie Company
of San Francisco will pay the farmer that
will plant, three cents per pound on the
crude iiber.n
PROBABLE COOPERATION.
In conclusion Mr.. Murray said the out
look seemed very bright for the estab-
lishmept of q central rame station i'm
sacramento County. Sacramento Grange
of the Patrons of Hgsbandry had taken
hold the matter with viii, and many
of its members announced that thny
would begin planting ramie immediately.
| All he asked the Board of Trade to DO
was to give the project its approval and
assist III introducing the industry.
Mr.. Peterson, who had been an atten-
i've listener TO Mr.. Murray's remarks.
said lie was convinced that ramie culture
bwouid be good thing for Sacramento
/ County, and he signiiied his intention of
cOnVerfinfs some of his land i,,4f a ~, -, !,