CRETAN HEMP

The fibre obtained from the plant Datisca cannabina. It is not a commercial hemp.

A fibre obtained from the stalk of the plant " Cannibis sativa." It is inferior in quality to flax, but stronger and easily bleached. It is grown in India, Italy, Russia, Poland and many other countries. The better grades are used in the manufacture of carpets. It is obtained in a similar manner to flax by retting, breaking, crushing, cutting and hackling. It is not rotted by water and is much used for ropes, sailcloth, etc. (see common Hemp). Hemp Varieties - Among the different varieties of hemp appearing in trade are the following: - Ambari (or brown) hemp, Bengal (or Bombay) hemp, Blackfellow's hemp, Bowstring (Africa), Bowstring (Florida), Calcutta hemp (jute), Cebu, Colorado River, Cretan, Cuban, False hemp (America), False sisal hemp. Giant hemp (China), Hayti, Ife, Indian, Jubbulpore (Madras), Manila, New Zealand hemp (or flax), Pangane, Pita, Pua (India), Queensland, Rangoon, Roselle, Sisal, Sunn, Swedish, Tampico, Water, Wild, Italian (see under each name) ———————— The fibre obtained from the Phormium Tenax plant which is a native of New Zealand and South Australia. The fibre is very white, soft and flexible and has a high lustre. It differs from most hemp fibres in that it is obtained from the leaf and not the bast. It is not so fine or regular as true flax, nor does it spin as well, but it is superior to either flax or hemp in its tenacity. It is largely used for cordage, twine and floor-matting, through the best fibre is woven into a duck fabric closely resembling linen. There are numerous local names for this plant - The common variety of the lowland swamps is Harakeke, that of the higher ground is Paritanewha, and the best variety is called Taihore. The fibre is generally known as Muka.