The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-15
NEW CROP FOR FARMERS.
RAMIE GOULD BE PROFITABLY
RAISED IN GEORGIA.


the Necessary Machinery at New
Orleans-Msj. Ryals Favors an TX
pertinent With the weed-Tobsooo
to Be the Coming Product ofGeorgia.
The subject Of the cultivation of ramie In
the cotton states Is again being agitated.
Ramie is plant noted for Its fiber, which,
ii is believed, if proper appliances were
brought to bear upon it, would revolution
ize the textile industry Of this country.
1t is a coarse, nettls-like weed that grows
wild all over the southern country In moist,
shady places 1t is common in river
bottoms. Scientists have declared the
fiber of the ramie TO be
superior to either cotton, silk or fax. 1t
is as soft as silk and much stronger than
any of the fibers named Il !s grown
largely In India and large quantities of is
are now shipped TO Europe, where ID is used
as substitute for silk.
AS FINE AND BRILLIANT AS SILK.
Ramie is perennial, somewhat shrubbv
plant, generally growing to a hight Of four
feet, with long pointed serrate leaves, dark
green in color, with a snowy sort of down
| underneath,
The useful part of the plant is the inner
bark, or rather the fiber of it, which can be
manufactured into fabrics having the fine
ness and brillisucy of silks. 1t needs a rich
soil in climate where hard frosts do not
! prevail. Al effort was made to get southern
planters to engage in its culture in 1867,
but, owing to the deranged condition OF
labor. little interest ives taken in the matter
as, although it was proved at first 20 be
a profitable venture, when the crop became
considerable, the hitherto uuconsfdered
problem Of the disposal Of the crop came
up.
The fiber could not be prepared by hand
as in eastern countries, aud the crude ma-
terial was TOD bulky for export; so the
excitement subsidized.
THE OPPORTUNITY MORE FAVORABLE NOW
Now it appears that the matter may be-
brought forward again under far more
favorable auspices. -L
A Louisiana writer. in an article in the
New York Erening Post sees in ramis a
plant which, II q machine to decorticate it
can be invented, will become the most
valuable fiber for manufacturing purposes
In the world. II do not say he obser yes,
that 1t will supersede cotton, for the cheap
ness OF the latter and the hiA h price OF the
former will, for quite a while, prevent this
But the enormous profits to be made In
raising 1t, If the proper deoorticator can
be found, will induce almost everybody to
plant it.
This great increase of product will ulti-
mately cheaper its price, and the with
drawal of many planters Of cotton will
tend to help the price Of that article. Flax
will be almost thing OF the past, for it has
all the merits Of that fiber, and utterly
transcends its best teotures l take 1t that
the silk industry will have such blow
struck it as will nearly paralyze it.
MAKES GOOD SUMNER GARMENTS.
Every one who hes ever seen ramie or
worn IL falls in love with the fabric. 1t is
as cool as linen, soft as silk, far more
durable, and has a luster, with an irides
cense suggestive Of the opal. For summer
wear, either external or for underclothing,
it would certainly distance all com oetitors
at the south and In all warm countries.
1t would pass into table linens, napkins,
towels, etc. It's uses Ia cordage OF al
sorts would eusue just assoon as prices
should justify.
"Its power TO resist strain and breakage I,
almost incredible. have tried in vain &c
snap an UNFINISHED piece pulled two days ago
not over the sixteenth part Of an inch in
diameter. What cables it would make
A hawser, with good anchorage, would hold
ship to her moorings In any storm"
Col. &. A. Breaux of Lafayette, La, /.
growing several acres OF ramie. 1t is now
six feet high and by September will be ten
and is said to be beautiful plant. In tina
| IuOubD bu6T6 ID 20 Dc COLup6LiblOn or brlR
OF ramie decorticators at New Orleans under
the auspices of the United States govern
ment. Col. Breaux has agreed to furnish
the ramie for the experiments.
COULD BE EASILY CULTIVATED HERE.
Maj. g. NJ. Ryals, who is Chatham
county's standard authority on agriculture
subjects, was asked about the matter yester
day.
Maj. Ryals said he had heard of the plant
J but had never investigated or experimental
with it. He sees no reason why it should
not be successfully grown in this locality
as all the requirements of damp, mois
soil and warm climate prevail here. II
the experiments in preparing it for man
ufacture are successful. he thinks it would
be we'll for the farmers of this section tc
plant experimentally.
, Maj. Ryals is convinced, however, that
tobacco is the coming crop OF this state, OIL
this section Of it In fact, be sees no reason
why it should not be successfully grown all
over the stale. Maj. Ryals was large
planter of tobacco in Virginia before the
, war, and he said he believes as good to
bacco as Is grown anywhere can be pro
duced here in Georgia. He recently visited
the state experimental farm near Griffin
where there are FIVE acres of tobacco in as
fine condition as could be desired.
With the growth OF fine tobacco already
established as a success in South west Geor
gia, with fine tobacco being grown neal
Haycross In Southeast Georgia, and will
the success made by the state experimental
farm at Griffin in tobacco growing. Maj
Ryals considers the adaptability of Gsorgi,
soils TO tobacco already established.
TOBACCO THE COMING CROP.
The new lands in this section OF the stat
which are being opened up by the turpentio,
and timber men, he considers especially
adapted to the growing of tobacco.
The finest and brightest grades Of tobacco
are produced upon newly cleared lands
and South Georgia certainly has any
quantity of lands of this class that could
be put into tobacco.
Maj. Ryals said the only salvation OF the
Georgia farmer is TO reach out after and
discover new crops iu which to put hi
lands. 1t is about time tina
this thing of putting all the land
into one crop, the supply of which already
exceeds the demand should come to al
end, be thinks, and the sooner the south.
ern farmers turned their attention Il
other products the better. A diversity O
crops is a necessity, he said.
A Statement From Sheriff Ellis.
BAILEY. GA, Aug. 14.-Editor Morning
Mems. Please allow me- snaca in vour napA