80 



heretofore known — but if the Urtica has a finer and strong- 

 er fibre, and will produce more on a given portion of land, 

 it will eventually supercede the hemp. 



The soil best adapted to the Urtica is wet meadow land ; 

 and it will thrive in ground covered with water many months 

 in the year. It grows also to advantage in a rich, moist, 

 upland loom. It can be raised from the seed or root, as it is 

 a hardy perennial. The seed should be planted in the 

 spring, and the roots in the fall months. If the fibre is 

 wanted for the finest fabrics, the plant should be cut while 

 in full flower ; but if only for common use, it will yield more 

 by standing till completely ripe. After being cradled, 

 which is the most proper way to cut it, the stalk should be 

 suffered to lie on the ground some days, as the stinging 

 quality which is peculiar to the growing nettle, is thus re* 

 moved. The Urtica is rotted in the same manner as hemp, 

 only it requires a longer time for the purpose : But it is not 

 affected by the inclemency of the weather. 



The legislature of this state at their last session incorpo- 

 rated a company for the manufacture of this plant, and the 

 United States have granted a patent to Mr. Whitlow for its 

 discovery.* 



While on the subject of vegetable fibre, it is proper 

 to mention the Asclepiasf and the Apocynum Cannabi- 

 num, both of which grow very luxuriantly on the isl- 

 and in our neighborhood, already mentioned. The fibres 

 of these plants are very strong and veiy numerous ; and 

 may, with little trouble, be converted to many domestic 

 purposes. For coarse cordage or family cloth it can be 

 used almost in the state in which it is taken from the stalk. 

 The common Asclepias, or Milkweed, may be employed for 



* For many interesting- particulars respecting the cultivation of this 

 valuable nettle, examine a paper published by the corporation of the 

 city of New-York, and the Baltimore Medical and Philosophical Ly- 

 ceum. 



f Two new species of Asclepias were discovered in this state last 

 summer by Mr. Whitlow, and a patent has been taken from the office 

 for the manufacture of the staple. 



