570 Journal op the Department op Agriculture. 



SOUTH AFRICAN FIBRE PLANTS. 



Ambari or Deccan Hemp : Hibiscus Cannabinus, L. 



By I. B. Pole Evans, M.A., D.Sc, F.L.S., Chief, Division of 

 Botany and Plant Pathology. 



(This article appeared originally in the South Afrieuii Journal of Industries, Vol. 1, No. 3, 

 and. owing to the widespread interest in the subject, is now reprinted. — Acting Editor.) 



Since the outbreak of war more than usual interest has been displayed 

 by the public in the resources of South Africa as regards fibre plants, 

 oil-producing plants, medicinal plants, tanning plants, and dye 

 plants, with the result that numerous inquiries, often accompanied by 

 specimens, have been submitted to the Division of Botany. Much 

 valuable information relating to these economic plants and tlieir dis- 

 tribution tliroughout the Union has thus been obtained. 



In the present article one of these plants, which would seem to 

 deserve some attention, not only from botanists, but also from the 

 merchant and farmer, will be dealt with. The plant is known botani- 

 cally as Hibiscus cannahinus L. It is also called Ambari Hemp, 

 Deccan Hemp, Gambo Hemp, and Bimlipatam Jute. Locally it has 

 been referred to as "The Wild Stock Hose." Hibiscus cannabinus 

 produces a textile fibre which can be used for the manufacture of 

 coarse woven articles, such as bags and sacks, hessians, and horse- 

 cloths. It can also be employed for cheap cordage and yarns. The 

 fibre is bright and glossy, but coarse and harsh. 



The plant is a native of Africa, but now widely distributed 

 throughout India, Asia, and Australia. 



In India it is very largely cultivated for local use, but from 

 investigations which have recently been given to it by the two 

 Imperial economic botanists, resulting in the production of improved 

 varieties from wliich the best specimens of fibre yet submitted to 

 London merchants have been obtained, there is reason to believe that 

 this plant will become more extensively grown for export trade. 



In South Africa at the present time Hibiscus cannabinus L. as a 

 fibre plant is practically unknown. It is certainly not cultivated, 

 but in many places is looked upon as a most noxious weed. 



In India, where its cultivation is firmly established, two spinning 

 mills have been erected for some years for specially dealing with this 

 fibre. From it practically ail the agricultural cordage used in India 

 is manufactured locally. It is also employed in making gunnies, 

 coarse sack cloth, canvas, fishing nets, and paper. 



Hibiscus cannabinus is an erect annual plant, attaining in South 

 Africa an average height of 5-il feet. In the veld it exhibits con- 

 siderable variation as regards its habit of branching, time of maturity, 

 and robnstness — points which all need careful attention when seed 



