94 HEMP. 



or four months. That which is ready first, is 

 called fimble ; the latter, karle, or seed hemp. 



As soon as the plant is pulled, it is tied in 

 bundles, and set up to dry ; at the end of about 

 ten days, the bundles are loosened at the top, 

 and the heads are held upon a hurdle by one 

 person, whilst another threshes out the seed 

 with a small flail. 



The hemp is prepared for manufacture by 

 being Spread out on the field to dry, so that the 

 weather may separate the fibres ; or else it is 

 steeped some days in stagnant water. The 

 next thing is to cleanse away the bark from the 

 stalks. This is either done by the hand, or by 

 machinery constructed for the purpose. It is 

 afterwards beaten in mills, and then combed, or 

 dressed, by drawing it through instruments 

 called hackles, like those used by wool-combers 

 and others. 



