84 A»RI8C1TURAL ES3ATS. 



ordinary fertility. In soils naturally adapted to its cultnre, •» 

 in those sufficiently manured, it is one of the surest and most 

 profitable crops, as the plant is subject to no disease, nor is it lia- 

 ble to be annoyed by any insect. Droughts do not sensibly affect 

 its s^rowth, and it is in no danger of being destroyed by cattle. 



From two to three bushels of seed are requisite to the acre, 

 proportioned to the fertility of the soil, as in other crops. 



The seed must be of the year next preceding, as it quickly 

 loses its germinative powers. 



A ton of hemp when dressed, may be raised from two acres 

 of land, of the highest fertility. 



It is believed that in this crop, as in almost every other, ma- 

 terial benefit is to be derived from soaking the seed, in a solu- 

 tion, not too strong, of common salt, or salt petre, or in a mod- 

 erate lye of wood ashes, and then rolling the seed in gypsum, 

 before sowing. The application of gypsum, as manure, af- 

 ter the seed is sown, is also beneficial, if the soil is suitable. 



The ground should be harrowed before the seed is sown, as 

 by that means the seed may be sov;n of a more even depth, that 

 it may all start together ; otherwise a part of the plants will 

 outgrow and keep down the rest. 



It should be sown as early in the spring as the ground can 

 be put in proper order, and sufficiently dry. In ordinary sea- 

 sons in New-England, it will be ripe for harvest about the first 

 of August, the time for harvesting being indicated by the fal- 

 ling of the flow^ers, and the withering of the leaves. 



The male plants of hemp bear the flowers, and the female 

 plants the seed. A sufficiency of the latter are to be left for 

 seed, and those will require about six weeks further time to ri- 

 pen, the ripeness being known by the seed turning brown. 



The seeds may be gently beat off the stalks wlien dried, or 

 they may be taken off by a coarse comb, made for the purpose. 



It is said the female hemp which has stood to ripen the seeds, 

 requires a longer time to rot, than the male, and when dressed 

 is jharsher. It has been advised to sow some hemp thinly by 

 itself for seed, and then the rest of the crop may be all pulled 

 or cut together. In grounds that are smooth the crop is cut 

 close to the earth, by a kind of scythe, made for the purpose. 

 The usual practice, however, is to pull it in the manner of pul- 

 ling flax. 



inclined to moisture, as well as those of the deep, itk.IIow, loamy 

 or sandy descriptions ; and that the qMantity of produce is g^ener- 

 ally much sfreater oo the former than on the latter, but it is said to 

 be greatly inferior Id quality. 



