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Re: Hemp rope
> * To: organic@sunsite.unc.edu
> * Subject: Hemp rope
> * From: hutch@rtpnet.org
> * Date: Fri, 12 Jul 1996 22:23:14 -0700
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> When I had a small sailboat in the early 1940s, several of my ropes were made from hemp.
> While not as strong and elastic as the later nylon and other synthetics, they were quite adequate.
>
> I believe they came from the Phillipines.
>
> Hemp seemed to be a good, strong material, completely organic.
>
> Is there any commercial hemp production these days? What are the economics of this material?
At least one state in the US has legalized the growing of industrial,
low-THC hemp for food & fiber products (the seeds are protein-rich).
Low-THC varieties of hemp have been developed in Europe, possibly
Germany; don't know about sources for same in the US.
N.C. may be peripherially interested in hemp as a replacement crop for
tobacco that would bring good income and rank near cotton in annual
NC ag income.
Uses would include:
rope
cloth
livestock feed
biomass for compost (mix with municipal sludge or animal manure to
improve C/N ratio
biomass for conversion to synfuel
cover crop for soil building and weed control; possibly host crop for
beneficial organisms; provide food and refuge for wildlife
Lawrence
mailto:london@sunSITE.unc.edu
http://sunSITE.unc.edu/london - Dirtfarmer's Digs