KEMP. 93 



and inconsiderable flowers. It might easily be 

 passed by, as a weed of worthless form, by un- 

 informed persons. There is, however, scarcely 

 a plant that grows, excepting those essential for 

 food, which ranks with this in importance. It 

 fonns the ropes and cables which belong to the 

 ship ; and its use in the unnumbered forms of 

 thread, twine, ropes, canvas, sacking, and other 

 cloths, is beyond estimation. 



The principal country for hemp, as an 'article 

 of commerce, is Russia; few other countries 

 grow even enough for their own consumption. 

 It is, indeed, cultivated in some parts of Britain ; 

 particularly in Suffolk and Norfolk, and within 

 a few years has been introduced into the United 

 States. The soil which suits it best, is a moist, 

 loose, sandy loam. It is sown in April or May, 

 and the plants are ready for pulling up in three 



