272 EVERY MAN HIS OWN FARRIER 



Where the ponds are not sufficiently large to contain 

 the whole of the produce at once, it is the practice to 

 pull the hemp only as it can be admitted into them, it 

 being thought disadvantageous to leave the hemp upon 

 the ground, after being pulled. It is left in these pits 

 four, five, or six days, or even more, according to the 

 warmth of the season, and the judgment of the ope- 

 rator, on his examining whether the hempy material 

 readily separates from the reed or stem ; and then 

 taken up and conveyed to a pasture field, which is 

 clean and even, the bundles being loosened, and 

 spread out thinly, stem by stem, turning it every se- 

 cond or third day, especially in damp weather, to pre- 

 vent its being injured by worms, or other insects. It 

 should remain in this situation for two, three, four, 

 or more weeks, according to circumstances, and be 

 then collected together when in a perfectly dry state, 

 tied up into large bundles, and placed in some secure 

 building, until an opportunity is afforded for breaking 

 it, in order to separate the hemp. By this means the 

 process of grassing is not only shortened, but the more 

 expensive ones of breaking, scucthing, and bleaching 

 the yarn, rendered less violent and troublesome. 



After the hemp has been removed from the field, it 

 is in a state to be broken and swingled, operations 

 that arc mostly performed by common labourers, by 

 means of machinery for the purpose, the produce being 

 tied up in stones. The refuse, collected in the latter 

 processes, is denominated sheaves, and is in some dis- 

 tricts employed for the purposes of fuel. After having 

 undergone these different operations, it is ready for the 

 purposes of the manufacturer. 



