THE PLANT WORLD 131 



Indian Hemp as an Ornamental. 



By William R. Beattie. 



In connection with planting around the rural home it is often difficult 

 to select some rapidly growing plant that may be used to form a screen 

 to conceal something beyond, or to form a clump to make a break in an 

 extended open space. In many instances it may be desirable to plant 

 something that will remain but a single season, and which will form a 

 hedge to separate two distinct parts of the lawn or garden. It is essential 

 to secure a plant of rapid growth, of sufficient size, compact and close 

 growing, of sufficient strength to withstand the force of the wind or any 

 ordinary injury, and one that will be attractive. All these requirements 

 are met with in the Indian Hemp, Canyiabis itidica. 



The hemp plant is a native of India and Persia. It is of well-known 

 commercial importance for its fiber and its alkaloid properties. The 

 dried leaves and flowers are used both alone and mixed with tobacco for 

 smoking purposes. When grown in warm countries there exudes from 

 the stems a resinous compound which is highly narcotic, and in great 

 demand for use as an intoxicant. The commercial importance of Indian 

 Hemp need not be considered in this connection, for the plant is worthy 

 of cultivation for its ornamental value alone. 



The species of hemp usually grown for fiber, Ca?mabis sativa, should 

 not be selected for growing as an ornamental, as the leaves are too coarse 

 and rough and the plant has not the proper shape either to form a screen 

 or present an attractive appearance, except when grown in large quanti- 

 ties. The plant of the Indian Hemp grows to a height of from four to 

 six feet, is closely branched, compact, and spreading, with numerous 

 finely-divided leaves. The leaflets have a drooping habit which adds 

 very materially to the graceful appearance of the plant. A perfectly 

 developed plant of Indian Hemp, when viewed from a distance, has the 

 appearance and general outline of the young trees of Red Cedar, Juniperus 

 virginiana. 



Plant the seed in the open ground as soon as the soil can be worked 

 in the spring, or start in flower pots in the house and transplant to the 

 open ground later. If the seed is planted in the open ground, two or 

 three seeds should be placed together in order to secure a good stand, all 

 but one of which should be removed as soon as the plants are well estab- 

 lished, or the surplus plants may be transplanted to some other place. 

 The plants should be placed about two feet apart, and a double, alternately 

 planted, row will form a perfect screen. After the seedlings become es- 

 tablished they grow very rapidly and attain good size before midsummer. 



