122 HEMP. 



for fine cloths proceeds from such plants as are drawn 

 up, and slender ; and they spring up in that way from 

 the ground when, in consequence of the seed being sown 

 thick, they are compelled to press against each other 

 during their growth. On the other hand, the hemp from 

 stalks that are at a distance from each other, although 

 the seed may be of a delicate kind, is of no use except 

 for cordage and other coarse purposes ; consequently, 

 care will be taken to sow the hemp thickly or thinly, 

 according to the use for which it is designed. Hemp that 

 grows thin (whether intentionally, or because the seed 

 has not vegetated), will be carefully weeded with the hoe, 

 in order that being cleared of the weeds which would 

 otherwise overspread the vacant spots, it may grow at its 

 ease, both to make cloth (although of a coarser descrip- 

 tion), and principally for the seed. Now hemp is a plant 

 which has two sexes, and that which produces the 

 seed, having plenty of room, will bear all the more 

 abundantly." 



"We quote at large the above respectable writer, because 

 he says much in a few words, though he sometimes con- 

 fuses a variety of things together. Light land, rich in 

 vegetable remains, and at the same time deep and moist, 

 is the only one that is suitable for hemp ; this is the 

 reason why its culture is limited to a few localities that 

 are favoured by nature. It gives but a very unsatisfac- 

 tory return on soils of too sandy or clayey a nature, on 

 shallow soils, on those which are apt to be scorched by 

 the sun, or are unable to receive their due share of 

 atmospheric influences. Unfortunately, in instancing 

 hemp-growing in England, we shall have to refer to the 

 past rather than speak of the present. Of late years, 

 but little has been grown in Suffolk, on tracts that once 

 were famous for this crop. The cause of its neglect is 

 no doubt the same as that of flax that for a long period 

 wheat paid better ; there is also the same objection to 

 hemp that its coining in the midst of harvest is em- 

 barrassing, and that the attention it demands in every 

 state of its progress is too great, where it ig only 



