38 Vegetable Materials for Cordage, &c. 
not refer you to it. I therefore observe, that there are several plants 
indigenous to India, the fibres of which are used for the manufacture 
of cordage, twine and gunnies, the principal of which are the Crota- _ 
‘laria juncea, (called sun-by the Hindoos) and two species of Corcho- — 
rus, (Paat or Kosta of the Hindoos.) Several species of the Hibiscus, 
furnish a durable fibre, but are cultivated in too small quantities to be — 
brought to market. Robinia or Millingtonia cannabina, is used by 
the natives to make ropes, but is seldom brought to market. 
Hemp (Cannabis) grows: in most places throughout Hindostan; 
but the Hindoos are ignorant of its uses for cordage, cloth, &c., and 
only cultivate it in very small quantities, on account of its narcotic 
qualities. Flax is also cultivated in large quantities for its seed, but the 
natives know nothing of its use in the manufacture of linen cloth, &e. 
The East India Company, have tried to extend the cultivation of 
hemp (Cannabis,) and flax (Linum,) but the attempt has not been at- 
tended with the desired success. The natives are loth to venture up- 
on the cultivation of a plant (hemp) which has never been tried by 
them as a crop, or to strip the bark from the feeble stalks of the flax, 
while they find the cultivation of Crotalaria and Corchorus, so easy 
and effectual for cordage, sail cloth, &c., and that of Cotton so proper 
for cloth. i 
You may therefore assure yourself, that neither gunnies, twine, 
rope, nor any other article of Indian manufacture, which is brought 
to market, is made of hemp (Cannabis,) or of flax (Linum.) 
I am, dear Sir, yours very truly, 
To Mr. Henry Drinker. oe 
Calcutta, July 22, 1807. 
Botanic Garden, near Calcutta, July 22, 1807. 
Dear Sir—The principal material of which twine and other sorts 
of cordage are made in India, besides the coarse bags and canvas, is 
_ sun (the fibres of Crotalaria juncea ;) also Paat is used (the fibres of 
Corchorus capsularis,) and several other substances, all of which are 
different from hemp, (Cannabis Ssativa,) and flax, (Linum usitatisst- 
mum. Wm. Roxsvuren, Jr. 
si In charge of the Botanic Garden. 
To Mr. Drinker. 
Kee 
oy 
a tebe Se ey TE aa RE Pe SRE Die a ae al Sh te 
