Interview with W. C. H. Wood, October 7, 1991

Partial Transcript: This is an oral history interview with W. C. H. Wood for the University of Kentucky Library oral history project.

Segment Synopsis: Wood describes Kentucky's history with hemp and its many uses. He goes on to talk about the different areas of hemp production during the different seasons. He describes the people who worked with the hemp on his land while he went through the yearly process of growing hemp.

Keywords: Caulking; Clothing; Fiber; Grain bags; Hemp; Hemp production; Hemp stalks; Kentucky; Pith; Rope; Wisconsin

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms; Farm life--Kentucky; Hemp farmers; Hemp industry; Traditional farming

Partial Transcript: Some of the old families in Kentucky, uh, still continue to grow some of it.

Segment Synopsis: Wood describes the reemergence of hemp during World War II due to its many potential uses (e.g. rope, tow, and line) and the shortage of other fibers. He goes on to talk about the cultivation and distribution process of the hemp from his family farm in Frankfort. He explains that his family started out selling hemp independently to brokers in New York City. He talks about the government's production of hemp factories.

Keywords: Frankfort (Ky.); Hemp; Hemp brokers; Hemp factories; Kentucky River Mills; Lines; WW2; War effort; World War 2; World War II; World War Two

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms; Farm life--Kentucky; Hemp farmers; Hemp industry; Traditional farming; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: How much, uh--you grew three hundred acres?

Segment Synopsis: Wood describes the farmer's knowledge of hemp and marijuana as well as the prioritization of hemp fiber over hemp seed. He goes on to talk about a prominent family and their hackling of the hemp.

Keywords: Fiber; Hemp; Hemp laws; Hemp seeds; Line hemp; Marijuana; Rope balls; Ropes

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms; Farm life--Kentucky; Hemp farmers; Hemp industry; Marijuana; Traditional farming

Partial Transcript: When you--you said you had people breaking it by hand?

Segment Synopsis: Wood describes the process of breaking hemp using wooden hemp brakes and hemp hooks, as well as the mechanization of the hemp breaking process. He goes on to describe an important hemp-related machine called the self-raking reaper, which cut and bunched the hemp. He explains the seasonal process of planting and harvesting the hemp. Wood explains how his family acquired labor during the spring months where snakes were prevalent.

Keywords: Hemp; Hemp binders; Hemp breaks; Hemp hooks; Hemp stalks; Reapers; Self-rake reapers; WW2; WWII; War effort; Women; World War II; World War Two

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms; Farm life--Kentucky; Farm mechanization; Hemp farmers; Hemp industry; Traditional farming; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: Now, uh, during the war--the, the government program, did you sign a contract ever with, with the government program?

Segment Synopsis: Wood describes his family's way of growing hemp versus the government's way of growing hemp. He goes on to talk about his farm's new buyer--the government. After the last of the hemp was used for the war effort, Wood describes the transition back to livestock, tobacco, grain and hay. He goes on to explain that hemp is no longer a staple of Kentucky agriculture due to the new fibers created around the world.

Keywords: Agricultural branches; Agricultural extension agents; Extension agencies; Extension agents; Government contracts; Government factories; Hemp; Line and tow; Patriotism; Sharecroppers; Tobacco; WW2; WWII; War effort; World War 2; World War II

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms; Farm life--Kentucky; Hemp farmers; Hemp industry; Traditional farming; World War, 1939-1945