196 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



hemp is good, first-rate hands on the the common hemp- 

 break, will clean two hundred pounds per day. The ordina- 

 ry task for hands is one hundred pounds.' Beatty. 



Hemp-brake. The hand hemp-break is made like that 

 for flax, only much larger; the under slats on the hinder end 

 are 16 to 18 inches apart, at the fore-end they approach 

 within three inches of each other. The slats in the upper 

 jaw are so placed as to break joints into the lower as it is 

 brought down on to the hemp. After breaking out the hemp, 

 it is twisted into bunches, and sent to the press-house to be 

 bailed, and is then transported to market. 



Water rotting. The best plan for water rotting is in 

 vats under cover, the water in which is kept at an equal 

 temperature. The hemp thus gets a perfect rot at all sea- 

 sons of the year, in seven or ten days, and when dried, is of 

 a bright, greenish, flaxen color, and is considered by many, 

 of a better quality than the finest Russian, and it brings as 

 high a price in market. These vats may be easily con- 

 structed and managed, and if built in a central position, by 

 a company of planters on joint account, they would be but 

 of small expense to each, and all in turn could be accommo- 

 dated by them. The hemp is first broken previous to rot- 

 ting, in a machine, which is moved by steam power ; this 

 lessens the bulk greatly, by ridding it of most of its woody 

 fibre ; but the process is not essential to rotting in vats. If 

 to be rotted in spring or river water, artificial pools or vats 

 must be formed for this purpose, which should not be over 

 three feet deep, otherwise the hemp is liable to an unequal 

 rot. It will require plank placed upon it weighted down 

 with timbers or stones, in order to keep it well under water. , 

 Mr. Myerle recommends vats 40 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 

 two feet deep. The hemp is thus kept cleaner while rot- 

 ting, and the hands can lay it down in the.vats and take it 

 out without getting wet, which is important to the health 

 of the laborer. These vats greatly facilitate the operation, 

 and they can be fed with water and have it run off at plea- 

 sure, without loss from the hemp. Water rotting in streams, 

 requires a longer or shorter period, according to the season. 

 In September, when the water is warm, ten days is general- 

 ly sufficient ; in October, about fifteen, and in December, 

 thirty days or more. For the latitude of Kentucky, October 

 and November are considered the best months for the opera- 

 tion ; and it is then easiest done, gives more lint, and as 

 good a sample as if deferred later." 



Raising Hemp Seed. This requires another system of 



