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FIBER-PRODUCING PLANTS 



ing from ten to fifteen feet in height, which thrives best on most 

 fertile soils in temperate climates. It can be grown successfully 

 throughout the corn belt of the United States, but is grown 

 chiefly in the blue grass regions of Kentucky and Tennessee. 



Uses. Hemp is grown in this country chiefly for its fiber 

 which we use for cordage and warp for carpets, and also for mak- 

 ing sailcloth. In some of the old countries hemp is largely grown 

 for its rich oily seed. 



Jute. Jute resembles hemp and may be successfully grown on 

 rich alluvial soils of the cotton belt, but it is principally grown 

 in Bengal, India, and in China. It is used as coverings for cotton 

 bales, and for making bagging, twine, and carpets. 



Ramie. This is a perennial shrub which somewhat resembles 

 hemp in its appearance and growth. It grows well in the Gulf 

 States, but the world's chief supply is grown in China, Japan, and 

 the Malay Archipelago. It is used for making coarse fabrics and 

 cordage. 



Manila Fiber. This plant resembles the banana plant; it grows 

 in the Philippine Islands and is propagated from suckers or seeds 



set in hills nine to 

 twelve feet apart 

 It grows to a height 

 of eight to twenty 

 feet and requires no 

 cultivation. The 

 yield varies from 

 two hundred and 

 fifty to five hun- 

 dred pounds of fiber 

 to the acre. The 

 fiber is used for 

 Ma?uey plant making hawsers, 



ship cables, hoisting ropes, and for the best grade of binder twine. 

 Sisal, or henequen, is a tropical fiber plant growing on barren 

 rocky land unfit for other agricultural purposes in Yucatan, 

 the West Indies, and Hawaii. Its heavy, coarse leaves furnish 

 yellowish white fibers used principally for making binder twine, 

 cordage, coarse floor matting, and door mats. 



