YAU10US MODES OF STEEPING. 141 



fourth. What remains is weak and rotten, it falls into 

 tow under the comb ; or, if the hemp has not been steeped 

 enough, the residue which is left is harsh and untract- 

 able. The latter defect may be corrected ; the former is 

 irremediable. The stalks which turn out to be incom- 

 pletely steeped, are exposed on pasture land to the dew 

 and rain ; it would even be possible to put them into the 

 water again, if the trouble of a second drying, and the 

 apprehension of showery weather, did not put consider- 

 able obstacles in the way. 



The number of bundles that may be arranged one over 

 the other, in the routoir or the ditch, depends upon its 

 depth. The shortest ought to be placed at top, in order 

 that the mass may form a slope which shall be better able 

 to keep together. The shape of the pile, however, is a 

 matter of indifference, when, on account of the strength 

 of the current, the number of stakes to hold it together 

 has been increased, the cross poles have been tightly bound 

 to their plaes, at short intervals, and multiplied upon the 

 surface, besides an increase of the ballast of stones. The 

 stems, which require the most active steeping, ought to 

 be placed in the middle, because that is the spot where 

 the strongest fermentation takes place, and the best fibre 

 is prepared, as it is also the position in which it soonest 

 receives injury, if, through any neglect or mistake, the 

 steeping goes on too long. In that case, the upper stratum 

 is of better quality. When the steeping-place is so 

 situated that there is no fear of sudden flushes or rapid 

 torrents coming on, it is a great advantage to refrain 

 from stopping the current of the water, in order to 

 diminish the chance of malaria. A space ought to be 

 left quite round the stack of steeping hemp, in order 

 that, in case of any unforeseen derangement of the heap, 

 the men who have to enter the water for the purpose 

 may remedy the accident with greater facility. And, 

 lastly, it is wise to prefer the situation which affords an 

 opportunity of washing the bundles in running water, 

 after the steeping. The fibre of hemp so treated will be 

 easier to work, and will give out a smaller quantity of 



