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Marijuana Botany
An Advanced Study: The Propagation and Breeding of Distinctive Cannabis
by Robert Connell Clarke
Introduction
Cannabis, commonly known in the United States as marijuana, is a wondrous plant an ancient plant and an ally of humanity for over ten thousand years. The pro-found impact Cannabis has had on the development andspread of civilization and conversely, the profound effectswe've had on the plant's evolution are just now beingdiscovered. Cannabis was one of the earliest and most importantplants placed under cultivation by prehistoric Asianpeoples. Virtually every part of the plant is usable. Fromthe stem comes hemp, a very long, strong fiber used tomake rope, cloth, and paper renowned for durability. Thedried leaves and flowers become the euphoriant, marijuana,and along with the root, are also used for numerous medi-cines. The seeds were a staple food in ancient China, one oftheir major "grains." Cannabis seeds are somewhat unpala-table and are now cultivated mainly for oil or for animalfeed. The oil is similar to linseed and is used for paint andvarnish making, fuel, and lubrication. Cultivated Cannabis quickly spread westward from itsnative Asia and by Roman times hemp was grown in almostevery European country. In Africa, marijuana was the pre-ferred product, smoked both ritually and for pleasure.When the first colonists came to America they, quitenaturally, brought hemp seed with them for rope andhome-spun cloth. Hemp fiber for ships' rigging was so im-portant to the English navy that colonists were paid boun-ties to grow hemp and in some states, penalties wereimposed on those who didn't. Prior to the Civil War, thehemp industry was second only to cotton in the South. Today, Cannabis grows around the world and is, infact, considered the most widely distributed of all culti-vated plants, a testimony to the plant's tenacity and adapt-able nature as well as to its usefulness and economic value.Unlike many plants, Cannabis never lost the ability toflourish without human help despite, perhaps, six millenniaof cultivation. Whenever ecological circumstances permit, the plantsreadily "escape" cultivation by becoming weedy and estab-lishing "wild" populations. Weedy Cannabis, descendedfrom the bygone hemp industry, grows in all but the morearid areas of the United States. Unfortunately, these weedsusually make a very poor grade marijuana. Such an adaptable plant, brought to a wide range ofenvironments, and cultivated and bred for a multitude ofproducts, understandably evolved a great number of dis-tinctive strains or varieties, each one uniquely suited tolocal needs and growing conditions. Many of these varietiesmay be lost through extinction and hybridization unless aconcerted effort is made to preserve them. This book pro-vides the basis for such an undertaking. There are likely more varieties of marijuana beinggrown or held as seeds in this country than any other.While traditional marijuana growers in Asia and Africa,typically, grow the same, single variety their forebearsgrew, American growers seek and embrace varieties fromall parts of the world. Very potent, early-flowering varietiesare especially prized because they can complete maturationeven in the northernmost states. The Cannabis stock in theUnited Nations seed bank is at best, depleted and in dis-array. American growers are in the best position to preventfurther loss of valuable varieties by saving, cataloguing, andpropagating their seeds. Marijuana Botany-the Propagation and Breeding ofDistinctive Cannabis is an important and most welcomebook. Its main thrust is the presentation of the scientificand horticultural principles, along with their practical ap-plications, necessary for the breeding and propagation ofCannabis and in particular, marijuana. This book will appealnot only to the professional researcher, but to the mari-juana enthusiast or anyone with an eye to the future ofCannabis products. To marijuana growers who wish to improve or up-grade their varieties, the book is an invaluable reference.Basic theories and practices for breeding pure stock orhybrids, cloning, grafting, or breeding to improve qualities such as potency or yield, are covered in a clear, easy-to-follow text which is liberally complemented with draw-ings, charts, and graphs by the author. Rob Clarke'sdrawings reflect his love of Cannabis. They sensitivelycapture the plant's elegance and ever-changing beauty whilebeing always informative and accurately rendered. The reader not familiar with botanical terms need notbe intimidated by a quick glance at the text. All terms aredefined when they are introduced and there is also a glos-sary with definitions geared to usage. Anyone familiar withthe plant will easily adopt the botanical terms. Years from now, many a marijuana smoker may un-knowingly be indebted to this book for the exotic varietiesthat will be preserved and new ones that will be developed.Growers will especially appreciate the expert informationon marijuana propagation and breeding so attractively andclearly presented.
Mel Frank author, Marijuana Growers' Guide
Marijuana Botany
An Advanced Study: The Propagation and Breeding of Distinctive Cannabis
by Robert Connell Clarke
Introduction
Cannabis, commonly known in the United States as marijuana, is a wondrous plant an ancient plant and an ally of humanity for over ten thousand years. The pro-found impact Cannabis has had on the development andspread of civilization and conversely, the profound effectswe've had on the plant's evolution are just now beingdiscovered. Cannabis was one of the earliest and most importantplants placed under cultivation by prehistoric Asianpeoples. Virtually every part of the plant is usable. Fromthe stem comes hemp, a very long, strong fiber used tomake rope, cloth, and paper renowned for durability. Thedried leaves and flowers become the euphoriant, marijuana,and along with the root, are also used for numerous medi-cines. The seeds were a staple food in ancient China, one oftheir major "grains." Cannabis seeds are somewhat unpala-table and are now cultivated mainly for oil or for animalfeed. The oil is similar to linseed and is used for paint andvarnish making, fuel, and lubrication. Cultivated Cannabis quickly spread westward from itsnative Asia and by Roman times hemp was grown in almostevery European country. In Africa, marijuana was the pre-ferred product, smoked both ritually and for pleasure.When the first colonists came to America they, quitenaturally, brought hemp seed with them for rope andhome-spun cloth. Hemp fiber for ships' rigging was so im-portant to the English navy that colonists were paid boun-ties to grow hemp and in some states, penalties wereimposed on those who didn't. Prior to the Civil War, thehemp industry was second only to cotton in the South. Today, Cannabis grows around the world and is, infact, considered the most widely distributed of all culti-vated plants, a testimony to the plant's tenacity and adapt-able nature as well as to its usefulness and economic value.Unlike many plants, Cannabis never lost the ability toflourish without human help despite, perhaps, six millenniaof cultivation. Whenever ecological circumstances permit, the plantsreadily "escape" cultivation by becoming weedy and estab-lishing "wild" populations. Weedy Cannabis, descendedfrom the bygone hemp industry, grows in all but the morearid areas of the United States. Unfortunately, these weedsusually make a very poor grade marijuana. Such an adaptable plant, brought to a wide range ofenvironments, and cultivated and bred for a multitude ofproducts, understandably evolved a great number of dis-tinctive strains or varieties, each one uniquely suited tolocal needs and growing conditions. Many of these varietiesmay be lost through extinction and hybridization unless aconcerted effort is made to preserve them. This book pro-vides the basis for such an undertaking. There are likely more varieties of marijuana beinggrown or held as seeds in this country than any other.While traditional marijuana growers in Asia and Africa,typically, grow the same, single variety their forebearsgrew, American growers seek and embrace varieties fromall parts of the world. Very potent, early-flowering varietiesare especially prized because they can complete maturationeven in the northernmost states. The Cannabis stock in theUnited Nations seed bank is at best, depleted and in dis-array. American growers are in the best position to preventfurther loss of valuable varieties by saving, cataloguing, andpropagating their seeds. Marijuana Botany-the Propagation and Breeding ofDistinctive Cannabis is an important and most welcomebook. Its main thrust is the presentation of the scientificand horticultural principles, along with their practical ap-plications, necessary for the breeding and propagation ofCannabis and in particular, marijuana. This book will appealnot only to the professional researcher, but to the mari-juana enthusiast or anyone with an eye to the future ofCannabis products. To marijuana growers who wish to improve or up-grade their varieties, the book is an invaluable reference.Basic theories and practices for breeding pure stock orhybrids, cloning, grafting, or breeding to improve qualities such as potency or yield, are covered in a clear, easy-to-follow text which is liberally complemented with draw-ings, charts, and graphs by the author. Rob Clarke'sdrawings reflect his love of Cannabis. They sensitivelycapture the plant's elegance and ever-changing beauty whilebeing always informative and accurately rendered. The reader not familiar with botanical terms need notbe intimidated by a quick glance at the text. All terms aredefined when they are introduced and there is also a glos-sary with definitions geared to usage. Anyone familiar withthe plant will easily adopt the botanical terms. Years from now, many a marijuana smoker may un-knowingly be indebted to this book for the exotic varietiesthat will be preserved and new ones that will be developed.Growers will especially appreciate the expert informationon marijuana propagation and breeding so attractively andclearly presented.
Mel Frank author, Marijuana Growers' Guide