38 Vegetahle Materials for Cordage, &fC. 



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- 

 i^s, (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 inmost places throughout Hindostan ; 

 but the Hindoos are ignoi-ant 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, &c. 



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. 



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, 



Wm. Carey. 



To Mr. Henry Drinker. 

 Calcutta, July 22, 1807. 



Botanic Garden, near Calcutta, July 22, 1807. 

 Dear Sir — The principal material of Avhich 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 capsula'"is,) and several other substances, all of which are 

 different from hemp, {Cannabis sativa,) and flax, {Linum usitatissi- 

 mum. Wm. Roxburgh, Jr. 



In charge of the Botanic Garden. 

 To Mr. Dri'tiker. 



