326 TEXTBOOK OF BOTANY 



which linseed oil is obtained) are different from those that 

 supply a high-grade fiber. On the other hand, " fiber flax " 

 yields a considerable quantity of seed, though less than can be 

 obtained from the varieties of " seed flax." About four-fifths 

 of the world's supply of fiber flax is raised in Russia, though 

 the best fiber comes from Belgium. About one-third of the 

 total manufacture of linen is carried on in Ireland. Very 

 little fiber flax is raised in the United States (less than 2000 

 acres), but about 3,000,000 acres are devoted to the growth 

 of seed flax. The plants that are to furnish the fibers are 

 pulled from the ground before most of the seeds are fully ripe. 



Hemp is made from the bast fibers of the hemp plant, of 

 which also Russia is the largest producer. The fibers are 

 longer and coarser than those of flax, but not so strong ; they 

 cannot be bleached white. They are used for twine, rope, 

 and coarse fabrics. Jute, used also for twine and rope, as 

 well as in carpets, burlap, and gunny cloth, is made from the 

 bast fibers of plants that grow in India. Sisal hemp, used 

 especially in making binding twine, is obtained from the fibers 

 of the leaves of an agave, which is raised chiefly in Yucatan. 

 Manila hemp comes from the leaf -stalks of a tree related to 

 the banana which grows in the Philippines. While those just 

 mentioned are the most important commercially, the fibers 

 or fibrous stems of many other plants are used in similar 

 ways in different countries. . Among them may .be mentioned 

 New Zealand flax, Tampico hemp, sunn hemp, bowstring 

 hemp, ramie, coconut fiber (from the outer husk of the nut), 

 raffia, rattan, and bamboo. 



345. Dyestuffs. Most of the coloring substances used for 

 dyeing fabrics, in giving color to paints and stains and the like, 

 were formerly derived from plants. But in the last fifty or 

 sixty years the manufacture of aniline dyes out of substances 

 derived from coal tar has become a very important industry. 

 The coal tar dyes can be made so cheaply, and in such a vast 

 variety of shades suitable for different purposes, that they 



