Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1889 — A Russian Fiber. [ARTICLE]

A Russian Fiber.

A new textile has been dissevered on the shores of the Caspian by M. O. Blakenbourg. The plant is known to the natives as “kanaff,” and grows to, a height of ten feet, with a diameter of about a tenth of an inch. By careful cultivation and preparation, a textile matter that is suited for most ordinary purposes, and would be particularly desirable for sacks, tarpaulin, ropes, etc., is obtained. It is lighter, cheaper and much stronger than hemp. It is soft, elastic and silky, and the finer stuffs made from it can be bleached chemically and dyed any shade of color.