HEMP. 183 



they decompose, become an equivalent to a light dressing of 

 manure. If the hemp is not above seven feet high, it can 

 be cut with cradle-scythes, similar to those used for wheat, 

 (only larger and stronger,) at the rate of an acre per day ; 

 but if above this height, hooks must be used full three inches 

 wide, of a corresponding thickness, and about two and a half 

 feet long, something in the shape of a brush scythe or sickle, 

 attached to the end of a long and nearly straight snath, and 

 with these half an acre is considered a good da)''s work. 



DRYING AND SECURING. As fast as cut, spread the hemp 

 on the ground where it was grown, taking care to keep the 

 butts even, when if the weather be dry and warm, it will be 

 cured in three days. As soon as sufficiently dried, commence 

 binding into convenient sheaves, and if destined for water 

 rotting, it ought to be transported to dry ground convenient to 

 the pools, and then secured in round stacks, carefully thatch- 

 ed on the top to keep out the rain ; but if designed for dew 

 rotting, it should be secured in the same field where grown 

 in large ricks. The reason why these are to be prefered is, 

 that less of the hemp in them is exposed to the weather, and 

 of course the more and better the lint when it comes to be 

 rotted and broken out. 



THE RICKS should be 30 to 40 feet long, and 15 to 20 feet 

 wide, the best foundation for which is large rails or logs laid 

 down for the bottom course, six feet from each other, then lay 

 across these, rails or poles one foot apart. As the hemp is 

 bound in sheaves, let it be thrown into two rows, with suffi- 

 cient space for a wagon to pass between. * While the pro- 

 cess of taking up and binding is going on, a wagon and three 

 hands, two to pitch and one to load, is engaged in hauling 

 the hemp to the rick, and stacking it. The rick should be 

 in a central part so as to require the hemp to be removed as 

 short a distance as possible. Thus the process of taking up, 

 binding, hauling, and ricking, all progress together. In this 

 way five hands will put up a stout rick in two days and 

 cover it. By having two wagons and ten hands, it may be 

 accomplished in one day. It is proper to remark, that for 

 making the roof of the rick, it is necessary to have long hemp, 

 from which the leaves should be beat oft*. In this state only 

 will hemp make a secure roof.' (Beatty.) 



In laying down the hemp begin with the top ends of the 

 bundle inside, and if they do not fill up fast enough to keep 

 the inside of the rick level, add as occasion may require 

 whole bundles. Give it a rounded elliptical form at each end, 



