268 EVERY MAN HIS OWN FARRIER 



that are low, and rather inclined to moisture, and 

 those of the deep, mellow, loamy, or sandy descrip- 

 tions. The quantity of produce is generally much 

 greater on the former than on the latter ; but it is said 

 to be greatly inferior in quality. It may, however, be 

 grown with success on lands of a less rich and fertile 

 kind, by proper care and attention in their culture and 

 preparation. 



To prepare the ground. 



In order to render the grounds proper for the recep- 

 tion of the crop, they should be reduced into a fine 

 mellow state of mould, and be perfectly cleared from 

 weeds, by repeated ploughing. When it succeeds 

 grain crops, the work is mostly accomplished by three 

 ploughings, and as many harrowings; the first being 

 given immediately after the preceding crop is removed, 

 the second early in the spring, and the last, or seed 

 earth, just before the seed is to be put in. In the last 

 ploughing, well rotted manure, in the proportion of 15 

 or 20, or good compost, in the quantity of 25 or 33 

 horse cart loads ; as without this it is seldom that good 

 crops can be produced. 



The surface of the ground being left perfectly flat, 

 and as free from furrows as possible; as by these 

 means the moisture is more effectually retained, and 

 the growth of the plants more fully promoted. 



Quantity of seed, ^c. 



It is of much importance in the cultivation of hemp 

 crops, that the seed be new, and of good quality, 

 which may in some measure be known by its feeling 

 heavy in the hand, and being of a bright shining 

 colour. 



The proportion of seed, that is most commonly em- 



