History of Hemp
Cannabis sativa is the Latin name for hemp, which means "useful plant". The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC. Materials made from hemp have been discovered in tombs dating back to 8,000 B.C.
Christopher Columbus sailed to America on ships rigged with hemp. Early New World explorers sailed the seas with wind driven hemp sails.
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp. Thomas Jefferson valued hemp so much that growing areas were included in the design plans for Monticello. He also invented hemp-processing equipment, which was used in this country for 50 years.
Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the Colonial Era and Early Republic.
Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag from hemp.
Properties of Hemp
Hemp requires no herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and fertilizer. Hemp also restores nutrients to the soil, which are then available to the next crop planted in rotation.
Hemp is a valuable and profitable rotation crop.
The bark of the hemp stalk contains fibers, which are among the Earth's longest natural soft fibers. Hemp fiber is longer, stronger, more absorbent and more insulating than cotton fiber.
Hemp stalk contains no THC.
Textile Uses of Hemp
Hemp is an extremely fast growing crop, producing more fiber yield per acre than any other source.
Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax using the same amount of land without chemicals. The amount of land needed for obtaining equal yields of fiber place hemp at an advantage over other fibers.
Products made from hemp will outlast their competition by many years. Not only is hemp strong, but it also holds its shape, stretching less than any other natural fiber. This prevents hemp collars from stretching out or becoming distorted with use.
Hemp webbing creates a comfortable, non-allergenic collar for your dog.
The longer hemp collars are worn and washed, the softer the fabric becomes. Hemp is also naturally resistant to mold and ultraviolet light.
Hemp collars retain colors.
Due to the porous nature of the fiber, hemp will dye and retain its color better than any fabric including cotton. The porous nature of hemp allows it to breathe making it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Dog beds made from hemp fabrics keep your dog more comfortable year round.
Pulp Uses of Hemp
Forests in the United States are being cut down approximately three times faster than we can replant them.
It takes 20 years to grow a tree suitable to produce pulp used to make paper. It takes 4 months to grow hemp suitable to produce pulp used to make paper.
Hemp produces more pulp per acre than timber. Estimates are as high as 4 times as much pulp per acre than trees.
Much of the world's paper was made from hemp until about 1850. Now all newspapers, copy paper, magazines, Etc. are produced from wood pulp.Hemp pulp can be converted to paper with less acids, and chlorine then wood pulp. Less bleaching helps preserve our natural environment.
Hemp paper lasts longer then wood paper and contains less acids and chemicals. Hemp paper does not yellow with age. Hemp paper as old as 1,500 years has been discovered.
Many countries use hemp paper for important documents such as archives, historical documents, financial notes, and deeds.
Hemp paper can be recycled more times than paper made from wood pulp.
Other Uses of Hemp
Hemp has an output equivalent to around 1000 gallons of methanol per acre per year. Methanol used today is mainly made from natural gas, a fossil fuel. Methanol is currently being studied as a primary fuel for automobiles.Hemp plants produce more fiber and protein than most other plants.
Hemp oils and seeds are used as a food source throughout the world. Hemp seeds may be used to create flour and butter substitutes.
Japanese use hemp seeds as a condiment. Next time you are in a Japanese restaurant, look for the little bottle of ground spices called Togarashi. Reading the ingredient label of this popular Japanese spice, you will see "Roasted Hemp Seeds".
Hemp is a true wood substitute. Basically, anything made from wood, can be made from hemp.
Hemp fiberboard produced by Washington State University was found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard.
Hemp in the United States
The United States has not granted any hemp permits in 40 years. Canada, which is becoming an active leader in hemp production and research, has a rapidly expanding hemp industry. China and Europe have thriving hemp industries.
Many states are investigating the use of hemp. Vermont, Hawaii, and North Dakota have legislated for research to investigate opportunities of industrial hemp farming.
Benefits of Hemp Collars and products
Earth Friendly
Comfortable and Soft Feel for your Dog
Durable and Color Fast
Machine Washable (line dry to protect the buckles)
Hypo-allergenic
Last, but not least, another "Cool Dud for your Dog".
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