VEGETABLE FIBERS. 591 



dry, preparatory to undergoing tlie process of breaking and scutching. The " rouiS' 

 sage" at Courtrai is usually performed in Jlay or in August and September, after 

 ■which the flax merchants of Brabant and the north send their agents among the 

 farmers, who purchase from house to house, and on a certain day attend the chief 

 town to receive the " deliveries," when the qualities of the crop and the average 

 l>rices are ascertained and promulgated for the guidance of the trade. 



The autlior just quoted advises begiuning with dew-retting, to be fol- 

 lowed with water-retting after the farmer has gained experience. There 

 are several patented processes of retting, by which the disintregation 

 and decomposition are hastened by raising the temperature of the water 

 artificially, or by treating with steam. In this limited report, however, 

 it will be as well to omit farther mention of them. 



HEMP. 



This being a much coarser fiber than flax, requires a good, strong soil 

 for its production. Any good, rich, loamy land is adapted to this crop, 

 as the blue- grass region of Kentucky, the limestone prairies of Mis- 

 souri, or the fertile plains of Illinois. What has been said concerning 

 the preparation of the soil for flax will apply equally well for this crop. 

 Fall plowing upon heavy soils will greatly improve their condition, as 

 the influence of the frost is beneficial. The land should be again stirred 

 in the spring, though the last plowing should be quite shallow, that the 

 surface soil acted upon by the frost may be retained. It may be left to 

 the sun's influence for a few days, when it is ready for the seed. One 

 bushel of seed is generoUy sown to the acre in Kentucky. It is thought 

 that '< there is nothing gained by sowing more tlian enough seed, as the 

 hemp if too thick will thin itself by smothering out the smaller plants, 

 and this must be done at a loss to vitality." The best seed is of a 

 bright gray color, and should be weU fiiled. 



There will be little trouble with weeds if the first crop is well destroyed 

 by the spring plowing, for hemp generally occupies all the ground, giv- 

 ing weeds but Uttle chance to intrude. For this reason hemp is regarded 

 by some agricultuiists as an excellent clearing crop when introduced 

 into rotation to precede flax. Hemp is dieecious, bearing male and 

 female flowers, both of which can be used for fiber, though the male 

 hemp ripens earlier than the female. In Europe it is stated that hemp 

 is often grown in plats or beds with paths between, that the male 

 and female stalks can be pulled separately. The female plants do not 

 mature their seed until about three weeks after blossoming ; they should 

 be allowed to stand until the lower seeds begin to ripen, when it is time 

 for harvesting. 



Hemp was formerly pulled by hand, and is now to a certain extent in 

 European countries. It is now harvested by cutting the plants off at or 

 near the ground by means of a heavy knife or implement made specially 

 lor the purpose. This implement is crooked upon the edge, and is bent 

 toward the shaft of the handle, so that by a rapid stroke the stalks are 

 severed. Machinery is sometimes used when the stalks are small. 



In cutting, the stalks must be laid in rows, even at the butts, and 

 should bo allowed to lie for a few days, a week at the farthest, to dry. 

 When the crop has become sufficiently dried the stalks may be put up 

 in bundles^the remainder of the leaves will for the most part drop off—- 

 and the bundles should be set up in shocks to dry thoroughly before 

 stacking. " If the hemp is to be water-retted the drying is unnecessary, 

 and some authorities think that better results are obtained when the 

 hemp is retted immediately after harvesting. It is said that hemp 

 steeped green will require only four days, but if allowed to dry eight 



