326 HEMP CULTURE IN NORTH-WEST INDIA. 
pronounced “the article as superior, be it what it may, and 
deserving of the first attention.” 
With respect to the interchange of seed, or to the kind 
which is most desirable, we have the following fact, though it is 
probable that some of the Himalayan seed would answer 
equally well: 
“A few fresh stalks of Hemp raised from Russian seed 
received last year from Dr. Royle, and corresponding speci- 
mens of the indigenous Hemp plant of Bengal. Presented by 
Mr. Deneef. The superiority of the former in texture was 
very apparent.” 
In treating of both Flax and Sunn, mention was made of 
Mr. Sconce’s experiments with both of these plants at 
Chittagong, in the year 1843. He at the same time grew 
some Hemp from country seed (ganza) sown in November. 
Of the fibre, the Hemp and Flax Committee reported: The 
Fibre is exceedingly strong and clean, but the admixture of Tow 
spoils the appearance and deteriorates the quality; while of the 
dressed Hemp it was said, that some of the fibres were strong, 
others weak, and as only partially heckled. These defects, 
being those of management, might easily be remedied. 
From the far Southern we proceed to the North-Western 
provinces ; here the late Mr. Bell, of Agra, on hearing of the 
above experiments in Bengal, writes, that there “can be no 
difficulty in the cultivation of the dbhkang or ganja, which is 
now sown only for the intoxicating drug the natives obtain 
from it; but the vigour the plant shows, and the height it 
reaches when thus sown, much scattered to admit of its throw- 
ing out its branches, satisfied me that, sown more densely, 
it would at least run the height of Sunn, and this I suppose 
sufficient for the desired length of fibre in the Hemp.” 
There is no doubt that the Hemp plant will grow to a great 
height even in the plains of India. The Author received a 
letter from his friend, Capt., now Sir Proby Cautley, dated from 
Saharunpore (10th Aug., 1840), stating that the Hemp was in 
cultivation in the Botanic Garden, and looking as fine as any 
that he had ever seen, nearly twelve feet high, with a natural 
healthy look of dark green. Dr. Falconer, however, afterwards 
reported that the Hemp fibre did not retain the strength or 
