Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-26
THE STUDY OF NEW FIBREs.
Government Experiments with th'
Ramie, sisaI Hemp-Other Plants.
washington Letter in The Chica

washington Letter in the Shlcdso
Record)
The division OF fibre investigation OF the
Agricultural Department, OF 4 when
Charles r. Dodge is chief. is one of the
most important branches Of that great
department Experiments for the de-
yelopment or extension Of yegetable-tore
industries, under governmental direction
have been instituted at different times IN
MANY countries, and such experiments
date back fully hundred years. In some
instances these have been confined to test
ing the strength of native fibrous sub
stances for comparison with similar tests
of commercial fbres. Another expert
ment has been the testing or machines
10 supersede costly hand-labor In the
preparation of the raw material LOT
market; another, in the development or
cbernical processes for the further prepa-
ration of the fibres for manufacture, or
in microscopic and chemical tnyestiga-
| lions.
| The broadest field of experiment, how
| ever has been the cultivation or the
plants either 10 introduce new Industries
as sources Of national wealth, or 10 de-
| velop economically those which require
| 10 be fostered. The introduction OF
ramie culture is an example or the nrst
instance: the fostering Of the almost ex-
tinct flax industry Of our grandfatners
days an illustration Of the second.
The nations of the globe have been IN
| .erested I'm recent years one way or an
other i'm investigating the resources OF
the different countries I'm the line OIL
6bre-production, or in connection WITH
new mechanical processes for preparing
the fibres for utilization In the arts. on
vvav I'm which the Importance OF this int
resi- has been made manifest 10 marked
deorea has been by the large collection
Of raw fibres that have been shown
the various international expositions, AM
particularly since that or the Londoi
exbihit of 1862 together with the Int
| resting published materidi Which "a
| accompanied them.
The United States Government has con
ducted experiments or instituted inqui
ries as TO fibres at various times In IN
last fifty years, but 1t IL only since lS'
that an office of practical experimen.
and Inquiries has been established by IN
department of Agriculture. This is know
as the Office of Fibre Investigation.
The work OF this branch or the cepar'
ment has been mainly directed to"ar
the development OF introduction OF thos
Ahres which we do not produce con
1 merclally. but which are capable OF Gu
> ttvation in the United States, and who
will add TO our national resources. IN
= subject has been prosecuted by the impo
tation and distribution OF the seeds
: | 6hre-nlants. by encouraging and dlrec
ing field experiments. by testing fibre-m'
0 chimes. and by affording general informs
4 ton. both through personal correspon'
1, ence. and through series or publication
p Take the subject OF sisal-hemp cultul
q In Florida. This subject has Deen peio
d the public in small way ever since ~
Y perrine grew some of the plant on INDIA
a ~ si.tv wears ago; but nothing wi
Lnown Of practical nature, sa
that the plants would thrive
southern Florida. About 1880 Il
deoartment was besieged for
formation regarding the advisabllity
astahllshing the culture, the cost OF star
I. ING plaptations in Florida. the yield
2 Tiorida fibre. and methods OF prepari
r and dyeing il. A preliminary survey
N the keys was made In the winter OF y
le by the department. and tracts OF W
~ nIants from the old Perrine experlmef
- we're found. In 1892 machinery was tax
-; down 10 Biscayne bay. an experiment
90 factory was established, and vast-sa
nd | INC Yacht was put into commission
~ exnloration. and with which 10 carry
leaves to be used in the factory expe
ments. The entire question was n
studied on the ground, and mass
as facts collected. which formed the ba
te of a report in which several other b'fpr'
y dbres were as carefully treated.
~ In the same manner the departing
Or conducted it's experiments In the Pu
sound region in 1885. the result OF
experiment bringing out the fact inat
that State Is fax region equal TO 9
- in the world. A ton OF fiax-straw fr
p this experiment, sent the next year
Ireland for expert manipulation. return
4, scutched fax worth at the rate Oh
a. a ton, and hacked fax worth wy
The curse OF the newer fibre industl
has been the promoter who seizes VI
some new fibre industry. OF which
public knows nothing, as anofang
sv opportunity to fleece capitansas anu ,.,
ny ny line his own pockets. BY talking gil
" Showing fibre samples thar have ,