The following is a letter found by John Lupien and contained in his volumnious archives of hemp-related materials from Washington DC.

July 7, 1913.

Mr. F. 0. Bennett, Route 1, Box 95, Georgiana, Alabama

Dear Sir:

This office is in receipt of your note of July first, requesting information in regard to the culture of Cannabis indica [underlined in original].

The name Cannabis americana has been applied to hemp grown in this country for the production of the active principle used in medicine. Of course, the seed of this hemp was obtained originally from India or other Oriental regions, the Indian hemp being known as Cannabis indica. Botanically both American and Indian hemp are known as C. sativa. As a matter of fact the United States Pharmacopoeia recognizes the drug as official only when "grown in the East Indies," but American-grown Cannabis possessing the desired physiological properties finds a place in the drug market, its value being determined by test of active principle content.

I would suggest that in planting hemp it would be well to wait until the season is fairly well settled. Drill the seeds into rows five or six feet apart, bearing in mind the fact that one-half of them will be males which p. 2. will have to be pulled out if it is desired to make the drug out of the product. It is desirable that the female plants remaining shall not be more than three feet apart when the stand is ready to develop. Seed every two or three inches will probably be more than abundant, allowing for usual germination. If the. seeds are planted an inch in the ground I think it will be deep enough, especially if the ground is well mellowed below. The richer the soil the better. The male plants will be recognized by a paler green color, by a less dense foliage, and as they begin to open, by the presence of stamens. The development of stamens should be stopped, it being necessary to prevent the formation of seed.

In general, medicinally active hemp of acceptable quality is produced only in regions having long hot summers. Hemp grown in the northern States is usually not acceptable. Hemp seed can probably be obtained from J.M. Thorburn & Co., 33 Barclay Street, New York City. Cannabis indica tops are quoted in the Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter for July 7, 1913, at from $1.40 to $1.55 per pound.

Trusting this information may be of interest,

I am,

Yours very truly,
WW Stockberger
Physiologist in Charge of Drug Plant Investigations