Cultivation tif Arable Lattd.*-Hcmpi)fflf&amp;gt;jpng of Crops of. Flax. 



being crulhed for oil to afford a Icfs quantrty,and fuch as is of an inferior quality,* 

 The buns or ftcms of the hemp may afterwards cither be put into the pond to be 

 watered, or dew retted in the manner defcribed above : the former practice is,, 

 however, in general to be preferred ; as where the latter is adopted the hercpy 

 fubftancc feldom becomes of fo good a colour. f 



According to a late writer the mod advantageous period for the farmer to difpofe 

 of hemp crops, is while they it-main upon the ground, ju ft before the feafon of 

 pulling them ; as by this means he avoids the trouble and uncertain expence of the 

 different operations which are requifite in its preparation for the market, and 

 v.hich are fo liable to interrupt his ether bufinefs. In cheap populous diftricts,, 

 where the foil is fuitable, and there is a large extent of grafs or other forts of green- 

 crops in proportion to the arable, hemp crops may probably be introduced and 

 cultivated to great profit by the attentive farmer ; but while the demand for grain 

 continues fo great, it is not very likely that its culture fhould become extenfive in 

 ether fituations. 



As hemp, from Its growing to a great height and being very (Lady in the leaf, 

 leaves the land in a perfectly clean condition, it- may, where the foils are proper,, 

 be an excellent preparation for wheat crops ; and where they are too light for that 

 fort of grain, barley or turnips may be had recourfe to with advantage. 



The hemp produced in this kingdom is in general confidered as fuperior to that 

 imported from abroad, and of courfe more proper for being converted into the 

 various finer forts of cloths and cordage. 



Flax.. This is another plant of the fibrous-rooted kind, cultivated in the field : 

 for the purpofe of the cortical fubdance covering the fiem and the feed. It is the 

 common flax plantj that is employed in this culture, which rifes in ftem to the 

 height of from two to three feet. 



The foils mod fuitable for crops of this fort are thofe of the more deep and friable 

 loamy kinds, and fuch as contain a large proportion of vegetable mould in their 

 compofition. On drong loamy clays that have been well broken down and reduced 

 by tillage, they have alfo been found to anfwcr well. The fandy or very light gravelly 

 lands are feldom found to fucceed well with flax crops. But whatever the nature 

 of the foil may be, it fhould neither contain too large a proportion of moidure nor 

 be too dry; but have the mould in a fine and well pulverifed condition. Such lands 



* Farmer s Magazine, vol. I. t Corre&ed Report of Suffolk. 



| Litwm witatwiimum. 



