| The dream of Australia as a hemp colony was very much alive in these years. Although agriculture had prospered and the colony was self sufficient in maize and wheat, it needed to develop an agricultural staple for export. The view that hemp and flax would provide this agricultural staple was expressed in a letter from the colony in 1804:
Where we shall find a market for our surplus wheat I cannot tell you. The farmers will be compelled to turn their attention to some other object than growing wheat and maize as they will not find sale for the whole produce of their land. I cannot tell what will turn to their account except the raising of hemp and flax. I have grown both last year and set the example - the produce is very good. I am persuaded that any quantity of hemp might be raised in this colony. It grows to a height of 9 - 10 feet.
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If Government should consider naval stores, such as canvas and cordage, of any importance to be grown in this settlement, they may be furnished any quantity - canvas might be manufactured by the prisoners, there being some hundreds of weavers in this colony sent from Ireland and England. The women prisoners might also be employed in spinning the hemp and flax.
During this period, the colonial government encouraged the hemp industry in Australia with bounties and by providing seeds free to any settler who desired to cultivate hemp. In 1806, Lt. governor Collins records hemp seeds being sent to hobart: Thus"A quantity of hemp seed having been sent hither in the King George, such of the settlers who may have ground adapted to its culture, and are desirious of growing it will state to Mr Thos Clark at Newtown the quantity each can sow when a distribution of it will be made to them from public stores. It is necessary to observe that hemp requires a rich soil and from eleven to twelve packs are sufficient for one acre. " |
