HEMP. 



23 



19 per cent, when similarly treated. Dilute solutions of iodine and 

 sulphuric acid, successfully applied, give to hemp fibres a greenish hue. 

 The ash of hemp is rich in lime. The principal ports at which hemp is 

 imported are Hull, Liverpool, Leith and London. 



Microscopic Appearances. Fig. 13 represents the hemp fibres as seen 

 under a high power objective of the microscope. The fibre shows a 

 remarkable linear structure with intermediate nodes, the one marked (a) 

 shows the central structure with one distinct crossing ; (b) represents the 

 hemp fibre when treated with nitric acid, which shows up the fibrilla and 

 the undulations at the bend of the fibre. 



Hemp, Italian. The fibres of Italian hemp are considered to be 



Fig. 12. Hemp plant, mature female. Fig. 13. Hemp fibres (magn.). 



about the best of the hemp fibres that are put upon the market, mainly 

 on account of their graceful pliability. 



On the 15th April 1899 Messrs. Ide & Christie made the following 

 quotations on these fibres, viz. : " Italian. The market is quiet, the 

 increased prices demanded by exporters, combined with the firmer 

 markets in Italy, tending to limit business. The stocks of cordage hemps 

 are reported to be considerably reduced, and quotations must now be 

 reckoned on the basis of 27 for P.O. cost and freight." 



In the illustration on p. 24, No. 9 in fig 14 shows the Italian 

 hemp taken from the bale as first imported. The fibres vary in staple 

 and length, are of a greyish colour, and are somewhat glossy. 



No. 10 represents the Italian fibres after dressing or heckling; these 



