CHAPTER XXV 



HEMP — Cannabis sativa 



Hemp is a member of the mulberry family {Moracem). 

 It is useful for the fiber, of which burlap bags and twine 

 are made. The plant grows to a height of about ten feet 



(Fig. 185). It is annual, 

 making its growth during 

 the warmest months. 



An interesting fact about 

 hemp is that there are male 

 and female plants. The 

 male plants bear in clusters 

 the flowers containing the 

 stamens or pollen-bearing 

 parts. On the other or 

 female plants are borne the 

 pistils or seed-producing 

 parts. The male plants are 

 preferred for cultivation. 



Each leaf of hemp con- 

 sists of five to seven leaflets, 

 joined together only at the point where the leaf stem 

 ends (Fig. 186). 



The most important hemp-producing district in the 

 United States is the Blue-grass region of Kentucky. 



422 



Fig. 186. — Leaf and Floweks op 

 Hemp. 



u and u, pistillate or female flow- 

 ers : b, staminate or male flowers. 



