ABSTRACT
In former times Hemp was largely used in the manufacture of Linens, but very little of it is now consumed in that way. The fibre is too strong and harsh for the finer class of goods, and it is difficult to spin it into small sizes of yarn ; indeed it must undergo some process to soften it before it can be properly spun over machinery at all. For twines, cordage, and similar articles, it has long been deservedly popular, and, from its strength and peculiar adaptation for ropes, these seem to be the purposes to which it ought to be applied. When Flax is dear and Hemp cheap, which occasionally happens, Riga Hemp, being softer and finer fibred than St Petersburg, is often used for the manufacture of sail-cloth, but for this purpose it is not so pliable as flax-cloth, and not so well liked by practical seamen. It was also largely manufactured into bagging, sacking, &c., and it is still used to some extent in this way, but these goods have been nearly superseded by its cheap rival Jute.
