The record-union., 1892-02-06
TO ENCOURAGE RAMIE.
Superintendent Murray Appeals for
Aid from the County.
A Proposition to Establish Expert.
mental Stations-NIr. Bates Was
Not Favorably Inclined.

The Board of Supervisors resumed its
session yesterdayEmorning, Mr.. Greer
presiding, and all the members present
except Mr.. Jenkins.
A number of bills were audited, and
then communication was read from w.
ID. Murray, State Superintendent of
Ramle Culture. Mr.. Murray proposed
in his communication that the Super
vlsors should appropriate 81, 900 of the
county's funds, to be used in encourag-
Ing the growing of ramie fiber in this
county. His plan was that a large
quantity of ramie roots be purchased and
planted in various parts of the county in
half-acre lots, to be donated by farmers.
MURRAY's EXPECTATIONS.
Mr.. Murray was present and addressed
the board. He said he had made study
of ramie culture and the cultivation of
other tlberS, and was very anxious to see
these tibers produced in California. He
thought the Sacramento Valley was par
tlcularly adapted to this industry, and
the Supervisors would do well to expert
ment IN the matter. If ramie, hemp and
Jute could be grown successfully here, it
would prove great boon to the county
in general. Factories would spring up,
and employment be given to the rising
generation.
Mr.. Bates said it would be foolish for
the county to go into the ramie business
when the State had refused to do it.
Mr.. Murray corrected the Supervisor
on this point. The ramie bill went
through both branches of the Legislature
and had been approved. But just before
the money was paid over a technical
error was found in the bill which invali-
dated it.
Chairman Greer said he had given the
ramle question some thought, and was
satisfied that if the industry could be in
troduced 1t would be grand thing for
the county. He thought the experimental
Idea good one, and the Supervisors
should endeavor TO encourage it.
WORKING FOR GLORY.
Mr.. Murray said he was not before the
board looking for position or trying to
sell ramle roots: He simply had the mat
ter at heart, and wanted to see the new
industry introduced in California. He
did not expect the Supervisors to devote
their exclusive attention to the expert
ments. He suggested that the board ap-
point committee to act with a commit
tee OF citizens, who should look after the
matter.
Supervisor Bates said he would not
vote to spend cent of the county's money
IN this way. He was willing to go down
into his own pocket to help Introduce the
industry, and would donate the use of
some land, but he wanted to keep the
county out of it.
After some further discussion the mat
ter was finally disposed of by the ap-
pointing of a committee consisting of
Supervisors Black, Bates and Miller, to
whom it was referred.
Mr.. Jenkins was present at the after
noon session. The afternoon was devoted
mostly to the examination of bills.
Mr.. Hall of Grand Island appeared and
inquired what the prospects were for
making the island road district bv it.
self. He was advised to have a petition
prepared and presented to the board.
The board did not conclude the busi-
ness before it when the adjournment
hour arrived, and another session will be
held to-day