122 HEMP 



cells or fibres of somewhat irregular shape ; at certain 

 points in their length they are flattened, and at other 

 places cylindrical. The cell-wall is much more 

 variable in thickness than that of flax. The fibres 

 vary in length from 0-2 to 2-2 in., with an average of 

 about 0-9 in. ; and in diameter from 0-0005 to 0*0015 

 in., with an average of 0-0007 in. The lumen is 

 generally fairly wide, but becomes narrower towards 

 the end of the fibre and is practically free from cell- 

 contents. The surface of the fibre bears numerous 

 striations, but does not present nodes such as are 

 visible in the case of flax. The fibres are forked at 

 the ends, and this character enables hemp to be 

 readily distinguished from flax. 



The chief uses to which hemp is applied are the 

 manufacture of ropes, cables, twine, nets, sail-cloth, 

 canvas, and tarpaulins. The fibre is also used for the 

 warps of carpeting materials. 



SUNN HEMP 



Sunn or San hemp, known also as Bombay hemp, 

 is exported from India in fairly large quantities, and 

 finds a market as a substitute for true hemp. It, 

 consists of the bast fibre of the stem of Crotalaria 

 juncea, a plant of the natural order Leguminosse, 

 which is cultivated in India and Ceylon and grows to 

 the height of 6-10 ft. 



The plant can be grown most satisfactorily in dis- 

 tricts of moderate rainfall. It requires a light soil, 

 and grows well on a moderately deep soil which is 

 fairly retentive of moisture. It cannot be grown 

 on clay, and, if cultivated on a very rich soil, it is 

 liable to produce coarse fibre of poor quality. 



The methods employed in different parts of India 

 for the cultivation of Crotalaria juncea and the 

 extraction of the fibre vary a good deal, but the 

 following may be regarded as fairly typical of the best 

 practice. Before sowing, the ground must be brought 

 into a good state of tilth by ploughing and repeated 

 harrowing. Sowing is generally carried out at the 



