C. [procera] Hamiltonii—Ak.—This species replaces the foregoing in all the northern parts of India, and extends even to Persia and Syria. In N. India, it is quite as abundant as is C. gigantea in S. India, and the remarks upon the cultivation and utilization of the latter apply with equal propriety.
Both species yield a valuable viscid juice (see Resinous Substances).
Camelina sativa.—Exogen ; annual herb. Cultivated in Middle and S. Europe, and in Temperate Asia, for its fibre, but especially for its oil (see Oils).
Cannabis sativa—Hemp (Fa. Chanvre ; GER. Hanf).—Exogen; annual, 4-6 ft. high. This plant is a native of Central and W. Asia, and is now found, either indigenous or naturalized, in almost all temperate and tropical countries. In Japan, it attains a height of 6 ft. and upwards ; and it flourishes in N. and W. China. It is cultivated all over India, and attains a height of 10-12 ft. in the Himalayas, where it thrives best at 4000-7000 ft., but reaches even to 10,000 ft. It grows wild luxuriantly on the banks of the Lower Ural and the Volga, as well as all around the Caspian, and throughout Russia and Siberia, extending thence into the Altai range and Kashmir, and into Persia and the Caucasus; considerable quantities also are produced on the coast districts of the Black Sea, between Atino and Perchembe, particularly those of Oonie and Therm& In con tinental Europe, the cultivation is carried on chiefly in Central and S. Russia, Hungary, Germany, France, and Italy; the last named produces the finest and best of all. In Tropical Africa, it is found on both the eastern and the western coasts, as well as in the interior districts watered by the Congo and Zambesi. In Natal, a hybrid has been produced between the native plant, found growing luxuriantly around the Kaffir kraals, and seed sent from Kew ; the stems would doubtless yield good fibre, if the trouble were taken to extract it. The plant has also been naturalized in Brazil, to the north of Rio Janeiro ; in Canada, in Venezuela, and in Victoria. The wide distribu tion of the plant is easily explained by the fact that it requires only a few months of summer temperature to bring it to perfection. In the East, it is grown by the natives chiefly, if not entirely, for the sake of the intoxicating properties of its products, bhang, ganja, and churras ; these will be described under Narcotics. In Europe, it is grown for the valuable fibre yielded by the stems.
The seeds of the plant also afford an oil (see Oils—Hempseed).
cultivation of hemp as a fibrous plant may be discussed under the following heads :— Soil.—The best is a rich moist soil, 5-6 in. deep ; alluvial lands, where sand and clay are intimately mixed, or friable loams, containing much vegetable matter, are well suited. Stiff, cold clays are to be avoided. Over-rich soils produce coarse but strong fibre ; light, poor soils, when well mannred, will boar the crop for several years in succession. The finest quality of fibre is obtained on soils of medium richness. The best hemp in the world is grown in the Romagna, of Italy, on rich, strong hams, made flue and friable, and well manured. Similarly, the plant thrives well in Lincolnshire, and in Holland. The chief producing districts of Russia, are Orel, Honrsk, Smolensk, and some of the neighbouring governments; the Polish provinces also contribute largely. The plains of Hungary seem peculiarly adapted to the crop. In India, the greatest success is obtained in the valleys and lower hills of the Himalayas, particularly on the Ghurwal and the Kumaon ranges ; in Bengal, the plant is everywhere grown for its narcotic products, the fibre of the stem being discarded. Tho method of cultivation here pursued, however, renders the fibre worthless; and it is doubtful whether the plant can ever be economically raised as a fibre-producer in the plains of India.
Tillage and manure.—The land must, of course, be well ploughed and drained, harrowed and rolled, and cleansed from all weeds. Tho quantity of manure necessary will depend on the richness and warmth of the soil, and upon the climate. In England, 10-25 tons rotten dung to the acre is not considered too much ; warm, moist climates require much less. The ash of the plant contains per cent. of lime, 7'48 of potash, and 3.22 of phosphoric acid. Provided that abundance of chalk, gypsum, or gas-lime, be supplied, the crop should be much less exhausting than flax.