6334 RAMIE CULTIVATION Harvesting Ramie in Japan. A.I.D. HISTORICAL AUS 2ENICAL REFOhC2 ROM 1656 NS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ADMINISTRATION Washington, D.C. 0 D RAMIE CULTIVATION by Fumihiko Oshiumi Tokyo 1951 Translation by Bernice Montgomery assisted by Yori Oda Printed in Tokyo, Japan 1951 Washington, D. C., 1960 FOREWORD Farmers all over the world attempting to grow Ramie will find a wealth of information in this booklet. Written originally in Japanese by Fumihiko Oshiumi and translated by Bernice Montgomery, consultant on-leaf and bast fibers, assisted by Yori Oda, economist, it is being published by the International Cooperation Administration for use in its overseas Missions. In publishing this manuscript, the International Cooperation Ad­ ministration extends its thanks to the Toyo Sen-I Company and the author, Fundhiko Oshiumi, fox permission to print. Acknowledgment also is made to the Plant Fibers Producers Association, Inc., Tokyo, and to.the U.S. Department of Agriculture under wh6se auspices the translation was ef­ fected. International Cooperation Administration Washington, D. C0. April, 1960 INFORMATION FOR RAMIE CULTIVATORS Table of Contents Page Number I. Preface ...................................................... 1-2 1. Nomenclature and Geographic Distribution ............... 1 2. History of Ramie Cultivation in Japan ................. 1 II. Utilization .................................................... 2-3 III. Varieties of Ramie Cultivated in Japan ....................... 3-5 1. Introduction ........................................... 3 2. Characteristics of Principal Varieties .............. 3 IV. Climat e, Soil and Topography ................................ 6-7 1. Climate ............................................... 6 2. Soil ............. 0........0....0........0.......0........... 6 3. Topography ......................................... 7 V. Propagation ................................................. 7-13 1. Propagation by Means of Pieces of Rhizomes ......... 8 2. Propagation by Means of Small Pieces of Rhizomes ...... 10 3. Propagation by Means of Cut Pieces of Stalks .......... 11 4. Propagation by Layering ................... ...... 12 5. Propagation by Division of Rootstock .. ........... 13 VI. Cultivation .......... ...................................... 13-15 1. Preparation of Field .................................. 13 2. Planting ......... 13 VII. Ferti izer ............... ............................... 15-20 1. General .............................................. 15 2. Quantity of Fertilizer ....... ,.................... 16 3. Application of Fertilizer ............................. 19 VIII. Management of Plantings ..................................... 21-25 1. General .............. o....... ............................... 21 2. Replacing Missing or Damaged Plants .................. 21 3. Cutting of First Growth ............................. 21 4. Adding Soil to the Field and Shallow Ploughing ........ a 5. Weeding ...... o....... ...........o......a.........*....... 22 6. Fertilization ......................................... 22 7. Prevention of and Treatment for Pests and Diseases .... 22 8. Protection Against Cold ............................... 24 9. Prevention of Damage from Other Adverse Weather Conditions ..... ................................................ 24 .... 10. Rejuvenation of Ramie Field ........... ................................................ 24 IX. Harvesting ................................ 25-28 1. Time of Harvesting ..................... .. .. 25 2. Method of Harvesting .................. .... ........ * 27 .... 3. Yield of Fiber ........................ .... a... 28 X. Decorticating ............................... .... ........ 29-39 1. General ............................... ...... 29 2. Ikeda Decorticator .................. .. .. .. ..... 29 3. Tosen Decorticator and Brushing Machine .... *...... ~ 34 XI. Drying ...................................... ................................................ 39-41 1. General ........... ................ .5... 39 ..... 2. Air Drying ................................ .. .. ..... a... 40 3. Heat Drying ............................ ..... a 40 XII. Production of Waste Fiber ................... 5... 41 XIII. Fiber Grading and Packing .................. 41-42 1. Grading ............................... 41 2. Packing ................................. 42 XIV. Price of Fiber 42-43 XV. labor Required for Production of Fiber ...... 43 INFORMATION FOR RAMIE CULTIVATORS I. Preface 1. Nomenclature and Gedgraphic Distribution--Ramie fiber is ob­ tained from just under the bark of the stalks of plants of the genus Boehmeria. The plants of this genus are perennials. Fiber occurs in­ varying degrees in the stalks of all species of the genus. There are two principal species cultivated for fiber. One of these, Boehnieria nivea, is generally termed the t'white-leaved'i species because of the presence of fine white hairs on the under-surface of the leaves. The other-, Boehmeria tenacissima, is generally termed the "green-leaved" species because the fine white hairs are not present on the under-surface of the leaves. Some scholars, after considerable research, consider that the "'green-leaved"t species should not be classified as-a separate spe­ cies, holding that it is a variety which has developed from B. nivea. The 'twhite-leaved" species, B. nivea, is the principal one culti­ tated for fiber. It is believed to have originated in the tropical areas of Asia. Now it is to be found growing in both cultivated and wild states in sub-tropical and temperate areas, as well as in tropical areas. Its area of cultivation is widely distributed thr'oughout the world. China is the principal prodticer of Ramie fiber. Annual production in China, pre-World War II, was estimated-'at 80,000 tons, which repre­ sented approcimately 70 to 80 per cent of total world production. Due' to political-and economic'conditions post-World War II, production de­ creased markedly.' It is estimatid, however, that China still grows a major -poition of total world production. Ramie is also cultivated in Japan; Formosa, Southeast'Asia, Indone­ sia, India, the Republic of the Philippines, South and North America, and France as well as in some other countries. None of these countries or­ areas presently produces a large quantity in relation to total'world pro­ duction. 2. History of Ramie Cultivation in Japan--A number of species and varieties of Ramie, some of which appear to be native to Japan, have been cultivated in Niigata, Yamagata, and Kigoshima Prefectures since ancient times. Ramie fabrics produced in these ancient times were known as Echigojofu and Satsumajofu. About 400 years ago, the feudal lotds Uesugi and Shimazu began to encourage the development of Ramie spinning and Whaving industries in these Prefectures. As a result Ramie cultivation increased in' these and neighboring Prefectures. With the- introduction of cotton fiber, however, interest in Ramie fiber began to decline, since the cotton fiber was less costly to prepare and spin. As a result Ramie cultivation decreased con­ siderably. Some interest in Ramie was retained, however, and small quan­ tities continued to be produced and spun and woven. -1 ­ By the beginning of the Taisho Era improved methods of spinning and weaving Ramie were beginning to be developed. These improvements re­ sulted in an increase in production of Ramie products for a wide range of uses. Most of the crude fiber for these products, however, was im­ ported from China. Marked improvements in processing and spinning methods for Ramie during the 1930's, greatly stimulated demand for the crude fiber.. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry began urging the Japanese farmers to increase their cultivation of Ramie- that.a larger proportion of crude fiber might be obtained from domestic sources. By 1942, the area devoted to Ramie cultivation had increased to 6,318.6 chobu (15,500 acres) with fiber production at 1,334,110 kan (11,035,000 pounds). Approximately 90 per cent of this production went for military uses. After 1942, production declined because of the increased need to use the land for food production; this condition continued post-World War II. In 1948, the area of land used for Ramie cultivation was only 1,360.3 chobu (3,300 acres) with fiber production at 346,606 kan (2,90,000 pounds). More recently, however, with the improvement in the total food supply, Japanese farmers have been again encouraged to cultivate .Ramie and production has been increasing. Minimum annual demand of Japanese mills for Ramie crude fiber is 2,400,000 kan (20,000,000 pounds) of which Japanese farmers have been producing less than 10 per cent. In pre-war years, most of the fiber im­ ported into Japan came from-China. Because of political .conditions pre­ vailing.in China very little fiber, in recent months, ha's been available from this area. This situation, of course, strengthens the demand for the balance of the world supply of fiber from other countries and -has inevitably resulted in an increase in prices, 'thereby increasing the attraction of Ramie cultivation to the Japanese farmer. II. Utilization A list of the principal Ramie products is given below: Fabric s, threads and yarns Jofu (a kind of Japanese Ramie suiting), Suiting, Handker­ chiefs, Shirtings, Tablecloths and napkins, Tailorst interlining canvas, Tarpaulins, Sacks, Canvas, Tents, Fire hose, Mosquito nets, Shoe sewing thread, Machine sewing thread, Sewing thread for