WATERING hemp; g7 



and multiply the culture of an extremely valuable plant, could 

 not be too extenfuely puliiiflied. In conform'^y to this defire, 

 we fliall briefly defcr.be M. Bralle's procelles, relate the 

 experiments which have been made, and offer fome obferva- 

 tions on the utility and advantages which are promifed by this 

 new difcovery. » 



The Procejfts of M. Sralle, 

 The means used by M. Bralle for watering hemp., are .M. Bralle's pro- 



1ft. Water is heated in a veflel to the temperature of from f^^^' .^^'^ . 



^ hem}.' IS fteeped 



72* to 75" ot Reaumur's thermometer; (200** fahr.) .in hot water 



2nd. A quantity of green foap (Jaronverd) is added pro- ^'^^ ^°*P* 

 portional (o the quantity of the hemp to be fteeped. 



Srd, The hemp is then immerfed fo that it fliall be covered by 

 the fluid, after which the velfel is clofed, and the tire put 

 out. 



4lh. The hemp is left in this ftale of maceration for two 

 hours, and then taken out. 



The weight of foap required for a complete fteeping, is to Proportions of 

 that of hemp-ftalks as 1 to 48 ; and the weight of the hemp ^-^ abides. 

 to that of (he water as 48 to 630. 



Several fteepings may be made one after the other. It is The procefs may 

 fufficient, before each new immerfion, to add a quantity of ^1''^^?^^^'^ ^'^^ 

 foap water to replace what was abforbed by the preceding, the fame water, 

 and to raife the temperature of the balh to the above degree. 

 The fame water may be thus employed for fifteen fuccefljve 

 days. 



When the bundles are taken out of ihe fteeping vetfel, they 

 are covered with a layer of ftiaw, that they may cool gradually, 

 without loftng their humidity. 



Next day they are fpread on a floor, pufliing the bands to- B' caking the 

 wards the top of the ftems, and a roller of ftone or wood, ' 

 loaded with a weight, is patfed feveral limes over them, tq 

 crufli them, and difpofe the tow to be eafily feparated frotn 

 the reed, which is effected by healing. Whether the hemp.beatlng. 

 be wet or dry, it peels completely in either ftate. 



Afier having tied the handfuHs of the tow peeled ofl^ while 

 wet, at the top, they are fpread on the grafs, turned, and, 

 after five or fix days, carried to the warehoufe. 



The 



