The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-01-11
OUR RURAL TOPICS
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers

suited to its cultivation. aud IN what climate it
can be grown.-John w. Broadwel Athens
O.
Ramie is perennial qnite shTubby, seldom
attaining hight of over four feet. and be-
longs TO the nettle family. but unlike them Is
has tubular ealyx. which contains q small
hard fruit. The part OF the plant used in
manufacturing is the fiber that surrounds the
stalk. This is Outlined in the Eastern coun-
tries by pulIing apart by hand. the size Of the
fiber being regulated according TO the purpose
for which 10 is intended. This fiber is known
in commerce. under a variety of names. the most
common being rhea ramie. and China grass,
and is used to considerable extent to mix with
silk or as a substitute for It, Il is very strong,
and can be woven fully as fine as dax.
The plant has been grown in Eastern eoun-
ries from time immemorial, and the fiber oh
tanned from 10 Is used for ropes, cordage and
clothing. IL has been introduced into many
European countries with varying success. Cut
tings were imported into Jamaica in 1854 and
from thence shipped to the Agricultural Gar.
dens of Washington in 1855, but little notice
was taken Of them at that time. and it was no
until after the war. during the unsettled con-
dition of labor in the Southern States. that IL
was taken up by the planters. At that time
anything that required less labor than cotton
was quickly grasped by the planters.
The plant grew we'll, and during the first few
years the crops found r ready sale and proved
quite profitable But with larger crops cams
increased difficulties. 1t was impossible to
prepare the crop by the eastern method Of
picking apart by hand. and the machines in
vented for that purpose proved faiIurs. /, is
still grown at the Experiment Stations and by
few planters 1t does we'll in the Gulf States
and along the Pacific coast. The rsmie has a
very wide range. bat grows best in damp shady
places. although it will grow on almost any
land that is free of carbonate of soda. Il may
be prepogated by roots cuttings. suckers. or
seed. the preference being in the order named.
In warm climates from two to four crops are
yielded each year. giving from 1000 to 10000
pounds of dry stalk, of which about Is per cent.
is fiber.
The fiber when woven is much stronger than
jute, and has luster and brightness that is
not equaled by any other material. The In
dian Government long ago recognized its
valne, and has at different times offered largo
amounts for invention that weuld seUarzes
the fiber from the stalk and Outer bark with
less labor. In 1867 and 1S77 reward of $25.-
coo was offered by that Government. besides
smaller snms by others interested in its manu-
facture; but AZ yet no machine has been in
vented that will do the work successfully, and
until there is its cultivation in this country
win be confined TO the seedsmen. Experiment.
Stations. and to farms where is is raised as an
81. =
Turkeys will not bear close breeding. The
male should be changed every year. or at least
be an entire stranger to the female. Where
fine birds are desired it is expediens in select
ing the cock TO be careful in choosing inas-
much as the sire gives the stamina of constitu-
ton, establishing size and weight. and stamp
ing the plumage with accuracy. It is also
necessary to be particular as to the choice Of
hens: IN fact, both male and female should be
as near perfection as is possible TO obtain them.
Both the male and female should be kept gen.
tie and tame that they may linger about the
home premises, and be accustomed to go in and
out of buiIdings- As general thing turkeys
choose the open sir. and like clear. large
range. To be profitable we must in measure
curb their incinations, and persuade them to
ad0pt, IN measure, the A4Dit3 OF our more
domestic birds. Where we can do this. the
hen will oftentimes drop her eggs in a common
nest with the barn-yard fowls which is TO be
desired at the early season. There is differ
enee. however. in the breeds. The bronze are
very hardy, but possess wild. untamable ns-
lures and great ramblers and perhaps for
beauty of carriage and style head the list. bat
for size and weight the Silver-grays or Nara
gansetts compete with them closely, while for
quiet, homeIike habits they are greatly to be-
preferred. OF this THE Narragansettl breed
choose birds with heavy bodies and short legs.
with the wing-bsrs perfect. and the whole
markings of ptumage we'll defined. A full
grown bronze cock will travel equal TO a horse,
and when the brood is massed in the Fall there
is little power that will control them. They
are seldom kept within the bounds Of ths
owners premises Country Gentleman.
The Iowa Agricultural College Experiment
Station marketed interesting load of cattle