American hemp differs from Manila by being much softer and of a dark gray color, and is sometimes known as black hemp. Like the Russian and Italian varieties, it is used by cordage manufacturers principally for making various tarred goods, such as ratline, marline, houseline and other products. Before the Manila fiber was so largely used in this country for rope-making, the Kentucky hemp business was of considerable importance, but it has of late years declined very greatly and is now of interest chiefly as representing that class of industries which have been robbed of their former importance by changing conditions. Years ago the American hemp went into the rigging of many a famous vessel, both merchantman and man-of-war, and was a source of pride to its patriotic producers and users. But the substitution of steam vessels for sail and the use of other fibers and of wire for rigging have taken away the great field of usefulness once open to this home product. Besides the hemps---American, Russian and Italian--another cordage fiber used to some extent in this country is known as New Zealand hemp or flax, taking its name from the country where it is produced. This is not strictly a hemp, although so called like many other fibers. It is obtained from the leaves of a plant belonging to the lily family, the cultivation of which forms an important New Zealand industry. The extracting of the fiber is done by special machinery and, contrary to the former practice, much attention is now given to properly grading and packing the product, these matters being subject to government inspection. [Illustration: HEMP GROWING BY THE WATER] New Zealand hemp in general appearance resembles Manila more closely than does any other cordage fiber, and, although it is far inferior in strength and other practical qualities, it is sometimes used as an adulterant in making the cheaper grades of so-called Manila rope. Its presence in a rope sold for Manila is sometimes difficult to detect, which emphasizes the necessity of care on the part of the buyer in getting positive assurance of the purity of the goods offered him. The only other cordage fibers of much consequence are the so-called African and Java hemps--the first named a product of German East Africa and of British East Africa, the Java hemp a product of the island of the same name. [Illustration: UNCLE BEN, HEMP BREAKER] [Illustration] CHAPTER IV PINE TAR