THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Hemp culture being already an established American industry, it will not be necessary to go into the subject at great detail in the present report. Some interesting communications have been received, however, which, with some matters of general information obtained by the Department special agent, in the field, are herewith presented.

Statistics on hemp production show a steady decrease since 1860, probably due to the decline in American ship-building and to the introduction of manila fiber or "manila hemp" produced in such quantity in the Philippine Isles. The figures may possibly show a slight increase when the next census is taken, from the fact that considerable quantities of hemp are now used in the manufacture of binder twine employed in the machine-binding grain harvesters and for other purposes, from Northern grown hemp.

The only hemp which comes into direct competition with the best American hemp is the Russian. Kentucky hemp, however, possesses greater flexibility than that of the Russian and can be dressed finer, although the Russian is more equal in length, and while less flexible is preferred when the cordage is to be used for shrouds and stays in the rigging of vessels. The best hemp comes from Italy, though but little of it appears in our market. The principal uses of hemp in this country are in the manufacture of cordage, binder and other twines, and for mixing with flax in a cheap grade of carpet. Some facts in the production of hemp for binder twine will be referred to on another page, and as they relate to the cultivation of hemp in other States than Kentucky they are especially interesting. Regarding the growth of hemp in Kentucky, in former times considerable cordage was manufactured within the borders of the State, although in more recent years this industry has declined greatly, and probably most of the hemp grown in the State is manufactured in other sections, going to the New York and Boston markets chiefly.

In November, 1888, I visited the "Blue Grass region" of Kentucky, which is the center of hemp production, and through the courtesy of Mr. W. B. Hawkins not only secured interesting specimens of hemp stalks and fiber but valuable information regarding its cultivation. Mr. Hawkins is a successful hemp-grower, having raised as high as 1,648 pounds per acre. His average yield for the season of 1888 was 1,400 pounds per acre for a field of 65 acres. Hemp is grown in rotation, small grain followed by clover putting the ground in the very best condition

for the growth of the fiber. The hemp is cleaned in the field, the cumbersome slat brake which has been in use for a hundred years or more in Kentucky being still employed. The cleaning is done in the field in order that the waste portion or "shive" may be returned to the soil again. This is burned and the ashes spread over the land; as the waste in its unrotted state would be injurious to the soil. Speaking to Mr. Hawkins of the need of improved machinery for cleaning hemp, it was stated that the old method suited the colored people better, as breaking hemp in the winter was the main dependence for many of them.

The farmers of this section, as a rule, dew-ret their hemp, although it is stated that the manufacturers prefer, and the Navy regulations require, a water-retted hemp. As long as the hemp product is used chiefly for twine and cordage, the extra labor and expense necessitated by water-retting is hardly warranted. With the demand for spinning hemp, at better prices there would be a demand for water-retted fiber. I was shown in Frankfort, at the Kentucky River Mills, crash toweling from hemp that had been in use for many years, and to all appearances it was as good as the same grade of fabric from flax. It is said that Henry Clay introduced into Kentucky the practice of retting by water, but few farmers of the present day are willing to take the trouble to follow it, notwithstanding the better results that the practice would give. The hemp stalks are usually spread upon the same ground where grown, and when sufficiently retted, as is determined by breaking out a little, it is again put into shocks. Hemp retted in winter is of a brighter color than that spread in October. The crop requires a rich loamy soil.

In a recent communication Mr. Hawkins details the general practice of Kentucky growers at the present time, as follows:

The usual procedure in the cultivation and handling of hemp is about this: Our best land produces the best hemp. Virgin soil sown to hemp can be followed by hemp for fifteen to twenty years successively; sown then to small grain and clover; can be sown to hemp every third year (no fertilizer required) almost indefinitely. Given blue-grass sod: Plow not over 4 inches deep in the fall or early spring; sow about the time to plant corn; sow broadcast 33 pounds of seed per acre, having first prepared the seed-bed thoroughly, and cover by dragging with the harrow as for any of the small grains, wheat, oats, etc. No cultivation can be done, of course, as it is broadcast.

About one hundred days are required for the crop to mature ready for the knife, or when the first ripe seed can be found in the heads. The hemp is then cut and spread thinly, covering the ground it grows upon; it must be kept from tangling. Let it lie for one or two weeks to cure; rain will not injure it in this time. Now rake into bundles and tie (be careful to keep straight), about 10 inches in diameter, and stack dry, about two acres in the stack. About December 1 we spread on the ground, as before, and when retted sufficiently set upon end in shocks about the ordinary size of .corn shocks, and the hands can carry their brakes from one shock to another in the field to brake it out. Much depends upon the retting, and must be determined by 20789-No. 1—5

testing when it is ready to take up. The approximate cost of an acre of hemp in Kentucky, counting man and team worth $3.50 per day, is as follows:

Plowing

Harrowing

Seed, at $3.

Cutting

Taking up and shaking

Spreading.

When retted, shocking.

Breaking, $1 per 100 (the usual crop being 1,000 pounds).

$2.00

1.00

2.50

3.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

10.00

24.00

There is no reason why hemp culture should not be extended over a dozen States and the product used in manufactures which now employ thousands of tons of imported fibers. In the manufacture of binder twine alone there is an outlet for upwards of 50,000 tons of hemp annually. The twine is now made from manila and sisal chiefly, the first being no better than hemp and the last-named quite inferior. American hemp twine is said to run 100 feet more to the pound than sisal, 5 pounds of American hemp twine, at the same price per pound as sisal, going as far as 6 of sisal, an advantage of about 17 per cent. in favor of American hemp. See also letter on page 67.

When the market for binder-twine was first created, American hemp filled the demand, the more carefully prepared article, straight or dressed hemp, being employed. About ten years ago the demand increased to a point beyond the supply of native hemp, and to meet the exigency of the case other fibers were employed: Manila and sisal came into use, and as the consumption of binder-twine grew to its present enormous proportions, these fibers held their position, and hemp was relegated to the background. The recent enormously high price of sisal and manila twine has again called attention to hemp. By lessening the cost of production by the use of labor-saving machinery in all operations of production, it has been possible to cheapen hemp, and with a little present protection the foreign fibers can be driven out of the market and the farmer receive a two fold benefit from the change.

The grain growers will be the hemp producers, and in point of fact will only take from their own pockets in buying twine what they get for their raw hemp, with the simple cost of manufacture and dealers' profits added. It is proposed as a reliet for the American farmers from the unwarranted high prices of binder-twine last season to remove the duty on certain imported fibers.'

1It is claimed that if manila, sisal, sunn, New Zealand, and other hemp substitutes are placed upon the list of free raw materials it will be because some of the farmers in the West have demanded it, in view of the present agricultural depression, to cheapen the present cost of binder-twine. No doubt should this occur the few manufacturing firms in the United States who produce binder-twine from foreign fibers will thank these farmers who have actually aided them in the accomplishment of a much desired object that they have been unable to bring about through their own efforts. There are many Western farmers, however, who look at this matter in its true

A surer relief for the farmers would be the distributing among them of the $4,000,000 or $5,000,000, which the production of this fiber would mean, with a possible saving of two or three millions more in the dif ference between the price for which a good hemp twine could be sold and the prices paid last year for a twine of foreign fiber.

I am informed, upon reliable authority, that the proportion of hemp twine to twine of manila, sisal, etc., that will enter into the present year's supply will not be over 10 per cent., or about 5,000 tons. This twine, in car-load lots, can be sold at 12 cents per pound against 16 cents for manila. If only one-half of the binder-twine out-put were made of hemp, at these prices there would be a clear saving of $1,750,000 to the consumers in a single year from difference in prices alone. And I am informed upon equally reliable authority that the machine binders work with hemp twine quite as readily as with the stiffer twines from sisal and manila when a well-made hemp twine is used.

A great deal has been said on this subject, the principal objections coming from those who are especially interested in manila and sisal, but the fact is, and it can be proved by abundant evidence, that the "prejudice" against hemp twine has no substantial foundation. In this connection I can but present a letter on the subject, received while this report is in press, which explains itself.

[D. M. Osborne & Co., Manufacturers of Harvesting Machinery.]

AUBURN, N. Y., March 29, 1890.

DEAR SIR: We have your esteemed favor of the 26th instant, making inquiry as to our judgment of the value of American hemp twine, commonly known and called as "Kentucky hemp binding twine" for harvesting machinery.

We have sold several thousand tons of this twine, and without exception it has given the best of satisfaction to the farmers using it on their self-binding harvesters. The standards for binding twine are, pure sisal, 500 feet long; half manila and half sisal, 550 feet long, and pure manila 600 feet. American hemp when spun 525 feet light, as is shown by the large correspondence of the Department relating to fiber matters, received since the fiber investigation began. These farmers see what is the fact, that every pound of binder-twine used can be made of native grown fibers, that the twine will be as good as the best manila, run as many feet to the pound, and can be produced at a saving of at least 4 cents a pound from the present prices. With free foreign fibers the saving to the farmers by the removal of the duty will not be over a cent a pound, and it remains to be seen whether the farmer will get any advantage, as the production is now limited to a few manufacturers, who, it is claimed, even coatrol the supply of raw material, thus shutting off all competition. At lowest estimates we are now importing raw fibers and fiber manufactures to the extent of $26,000,000 (out of some $44,000,000, total imports), that could be saved to the country. The Department of Agriculture has just initiated an effort to re-establish the fiber industry in the United States, that the farmers of the country may gradually secure to themselves this $26,000,000 through the cultivation of two easily grown crops. It is needless to say that if these foreign hemp substitutes, and jute especially, are placed upon the free list, these efforts in a measure will be hampered and the farmers themselves will be the losers. Both binder-twine and cotton bagging should be made from flax and hemp grown on American farms.

long is the equal of sisal, half each sisal and manila or pure manila, of the lengths given above.

There is no fiber in the world better suited to this use than American hemp. It is our judgment, based upon nearly ten years' experience with large quantities of binder twine each year, that the entire supply of this twine should be made from American hemp. It has been demonstrated that this hemp can be grown in the States of Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Southern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and New York, and probably several other States that are adapted to raising winter wheat. There are 50,000 tons of this binding twine used annually, every pound of which could and should be made from this home product.

Your department can do no greater service to the farming community than by widely disseminating the information as to the extent of the use of this twine for binding purposes, and the fact that American hemp is not a difficult crop to raise, and that the usual average yield upon good soil is from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds of hemp per acre.

Very truly yours,

CHAS. RICHARDS DODGE, esq.,

Special Agent Fiber Investigations,

D. M. OSBORNE & Co. By G. W. ALLEN, Treasurer.

If further evidence were desirable, the testimony of farmers themselves, who use and prefer hemp twine, could be given from the large correspondence of the Department, but it is not necessary. One of the strongest of these is signed by the president of an Alliance organization in Minnesota.

HEMP CULTURE IN NEW YORK.

It may not be widely known that quite an area was cultivated in hemp last season in this State. The industry is carried on in the neighborhood of Troy and Schaghticoke where sixty years ago a considerable amount of fine hemp fiber was annually produced. I visited this section in January of the present year and obtained from Mr. E. A. Hartshorn many interesting facts in regard to North River hemp culture, which show the value of the industry to the State, an industry which will be extended, as there is a good demand for the product.

A large portion of the hemp grown in this section last season was used by the Cable Flax Mills at Schaghticoke, some twenty farmers having been interested in its production, growing it under specific conditions, in a contract with the manufacturers, who agreed to furnish the seed and pay $12 per ton of 2,000 pounds for the stalks delivered. On the other hand the farmers agreed to sow the seed on good ground, at the rate of about 1 bushel per acre, to cut the hemp at maturity, and when properly cured or dried, to deliver the same, in bundles about 10 inches in diameter, "dry and free from tree or bush hemp, weeds, thistles, grass or other objectionable matter."

They also agreed to a reduction of $3 per bushel for the seed when the yield of stalks was more than 4,000 pounds per bushel, no charge for seed being made when a less quantity was produced.