The record-union., 1897-10-13
BEST HEMP IN THE WORLD.
1T IS GROWN RIGHT HERE IN
THIS VALLEY.
So Say Manufaeturers-A Prolific
Crop, and the Fiber Conn
mands a Big Price.

A practical test Of hemp culture
made near Gridley, Butte County, on
the Feather River bottom lands, shows
the product to be superi9r TO that grown
IN Italy
Last spring James Elmslie, a hemp
expert from New York. and G. Rau, an
Eastern importer Of fbers, called on
Edwin F. Smith, Secretary Of the State
Agricultural Society, they having re-
ceived and read the reports of this So
ciety on the possibilities of California
soils for tn purpose Of gaining informa-
ton as TO the rental, with a view to the
ultimate purchase OF river lands for
hemp culture Mr.. Smith introduced
the gentlemen to several owners Of river
lands who We're in the city at the time,
and the latter assured the visitors that
they could have all the land required
for experimenting.
Messrs. EImslie and Rau were fa-
vorably impressed with the opportuni-
ties of this section, and as they desired
to visit the experimental plant of John
E. Kirk & Son at GridBey, they de-
ferred action until their return. They
then again called on Mr.. Smith and said
that as they found about 200 acres ad-
joining the Kirk ranch that could be
rented very cheaply, they decided to
make their first plant there.
Mr. Smith kept trace of the plant
made by the Kinks, and has communi-
eatetd with these gentlemen, with the
result as shown in the following COM
munication:
GRIDLEY, October s. 1897.
Edwin F. Smith, Secretary State
Board Of Agriculture, Sacramento
Dear Sir: Your communication to
George Thresher has been handed to us
for reply relative to hemp culture. We
also desire to beg pardon for not reply
ing to your former letters to us upon
the subject As the hemp industry in
California had never been developed
and being the pioneers of the industry
we did not care to place ourselves on
record until we had passed the expert
mental point.
We are now glad to be able to state
to You that hemp culture in California
on the rich alluvial river bottom lands
is a great success.
The plant grows vigorously, and on
our ranch attained the hight of twenty
two feet. and measuring at the base of
the plant twelve inches in circumfer-
where the hemp was planted thinIy for
seed, but where sown thicker for fiber
it averaged about sixteen feet in hight
and a half-inch in diameter, or one and
one-half inches in circumference.
It is marvellous when considered that
our crop had neither rain nor irrigati ton.
We sOWed our hemp much thicker this
season than last, and will get at least
innate about q. ton and a half, which
viii make our crop from two hundred
acres about three hundred tons
Seed hemp, when properly planted
and cultivated, will yield from sixty to
seventy-five bushels to the acre FORTY
four pounds per bushel).
The quality of the fiber produced is
superior to that of any other fiber
grown in the world and is pronounced
by Eastern experts and the fiber mills
that have used our hemp to excel the
famous italian, that has for years been
most extensively imported into this
country.
We have recently had some photo
graphs taken of our crop, and when
we receive them in few days will send
you one, and if you desire will send you
tiSO SLafkS OF the neFlip ana samples OF
the fiber. We inclose herewith a small
piece Of the fiber CnackIed Iine) Trust
ing this information viii be satisfac-
tory, We are, very truly yours,
JOHN E. KIRK & SON.
This shows what can be done by q
little research. The Kinks came from
Peoria, ILL.,. only few years since, and
becoming imbued with the advantages
in this State, made several investments
in vineyards and orchards in Fresno
and hemp plants in Butte County. They
are likewise extensive growers of wheat
in Kansas
1t may be of interest to persons who
think Of engaging in hemp culture to
know that the fiber sells for ten cents
q pound.
For many, many years our farmers
have been meeting in their grange halls
and discussing the advantages of "ro-
tation in crops" diversified farming. -
and all that sort of thing. but Just the
same they go right on planting wheat
and barley year after year. 1t is to be
hoped, therefore, that the present agita-
ton for sugar beet culture and hemp
culture may have the effect of induc-
ing some of them to diversity a little
bit.