FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 1*5 



To make this method of cleaning hemp profitable, it 

 must be made a separate business and carried on extensive- 

 ly. Wooden vessels may be used for boilers, and the boil- 

 ing performed by steam, in the manner described under 

 STEAMBOILER. If a larger quantity of hemp be put into 

 the boiler, the soap must be proportionate, and more must 

 be added, as more water becomes necessary. 



The seed for a crop of hemp must be of the last year's 

 growth: That which is older will not readily vegetate. 



Sec SEEDS, for the method of making old seeds vege- 

 tate. 



Some kinds of birds are fond of this seed; and must, 

 therefore, be kept from it when sown. 



If hemp be suffered to stand after the right time for 

 pulling, the stalks of the male wither and blacken, and 

 then the coat is of but little value. Where hemp grows too 

 long for dressing, it may be cut in two, without any injury. 



Hemp may be made a substitute for flux, tor all ordinary 

 purposes; but, in that case, it must be softened by steeping 

 it over warm water, or lye ; and, after it is dried again, 

 beating it till it is perfectly soft. The steeping is perform- 

 ed by placing it on sticks, within the vessel, over the water. 

 The Steamboiler, just mentioned, might be applied to this 

 purpose. 



No very particular directions are here intended to be 

 given, in regard to preparing the ground for hemp, by 

 manuring, &c. ; all that will be insisted is, that plenty of 

 manure must be applied, evenly to the soil, of such kind as 

 is suitable to it, and that the ground must be effectually 

 ploughed. 



HERDSGRASS. See GRASSES. 

 HESSIAN-FLY, Sec INSECTS. 



HIDEBOUND. Horses often become hidebound, when 

 they are poorly kept, and badly used. In this case, the 

 animal grows poor, his skin sticks to his ribs, and small 

 boils break out on his back. A method of treatment oppo- 

 site to that which the Horse has received will generally 

 restore him ; that is, keep and feed him well, work him 

 moderately, and loosen his skin by oiling it, and using the 

 currycomb frequently, but not too harshly. 



HILLS AND VALLEYS. It is found that more rain falls 

 in the valleys than on the hills. The reason of this is, that 

 in the valleys the drops of rain having farther to fall, of 

 course come in contact with, and absorb more of, that 

 vapor with which even the driest atmosphere abounds. 



