5 12 



FARM, ORCHARD, DAIRY AND GARDEN. 



When hemp is raised for the fibre, the 

 seed is to be sown broadcast, a bushel 

 and a half to two bushels and a half to 

 the acre, according to the strength and 

 fertility of the soil, and the care with 

 which it has been prepared, as well as to 

 the season. When the seed is sown, it is 

 to be plowed or harrowed in; and roll- 

 ing the ground afterward will prove 

 beneficial. 



The labors of the cultivator are then 

 suspended until the, plants are ripe and in 

 a state to be gathered. 



If the season be favorable for a few 

 weeks, until the plants are six or eight 

 inches high, they will then shade the 

 ground and a good crop may be 

 expected. 



Hemp is generally ripe and fit to be 

 gathered about the middle of August, 

 varying according to the time of sowing; 

 and by sowing at different periods, in 

 order that the crop may not all ripen at 

 the same time, a press of labor in har- 

 vesting may be avoided. 



The maturity of a plant is determined 

 by the shedding of the farina, already 

 noticed, and by the leaves of the plant 

 turning yellowish; it is then generally 

 supposed to be ripe, but it is safer to wait 

 a few days longer. A little observation 

 will enable any one to judge when it is 

 fully ripe ; it is a very accomodating crop, 

 for, if gathered a little too soon, the fibre 

 will not be materially injured, and it will 

 wait the leisure of the farmer a week or 

 two after it is entirely ripe. 



The plants are gathered by two modes, 

 namely, pulling them up by the roots or 

 cutting them off about two inches above 

 the surface of the ground — the closer to 

 the ground the better. Cutting is gener- 

 ally preferred, which is performed with a 

 knife (often made out of an old scythe) 

 or with a good reaping machine. 



Whether pulled or cut, the plants are 

 to be carefully and evenly laid on the 

 ground to cure, which, in dry weather, 

 will take two or three days ; a light rain 

 falling on them while lying down is rather 

 beneficial, as it will then be more easy to 

 remove the leaves, which should be done 

 before the shocks are formed. When 

 cured, the plants should be tied in small 

 bundles, for convenience in handling, and 



set up in shocks, the roots or butt ends 

 resting on the ground, and the tops united 

 or tied by a band made of the plants. 

 As soon as convenient, the shock may be- 

 collected together and formed into stacks, 

 and by remaining in the stacks a suffi- 

 cient time before being exposed to be- 

 rotted, the plants go through a sweat, 

 which very much improves the appear- 

 ance and quality of the fibre. 



HYACDJTH CULTURE. — The hya- 

 cinth requires a light but rich soil, sandy 

 loam, well dressed, and mixed with thor- 

 oughly rotted manure, but if the soil is 

 not sandy, add a third of silver sand. 

 The soil for a hyacinth bed must be 

 deeply dug, well mixed and turned over. 

 Plant the bulbs eight inches apart, and 

 four inches under the soil. 



To Grow Hyacinths in Pots. — Select 

 the bulbs, and plant each one separately 

 in a four-inch pot, well drained with pot- 

 sherds, and filled within an inch of the 

 top with the same soil recommended for 

 the beds. If the plants are to remain out- 

 doors until rooted, place them in a dry 

 level place, and cover them about six 

 inches deep with straw, decayed leaves,, 

 or cocoanut fibre, putting a piece of bas& 

 mat over to keep off rain ; they will not 

 require watering. In ten weeks they will 

 have made sufficient roots, and may be 

 brought into the house and watched care- 

 fully. If brought into the house directly 

 they are potted, keep them in a dark,, 

 moist atmosphere for about ten weeks, 

 then gradually expose them to the light,, 

 and give them water frequently. 



To Grow Hyacinths in Glasses. — Single 

 flowering hyacinths are the best for this 

 purpose. Fill the glasses with soft water 

 (rain water is the best) so as nearly to> 

 touch the bulb. Exclude the light totally 

 from them for five weeks, by which time 

 the glass ought to be full of roots ; they 

 may then be placed where they will have 

 plenty of light and an equable tempera- 

 ture. Do not change the water while 

 they are in the dark, but when exposed to 

 the light pour out half the water in each 

 glass once a week, and fill it up with 

 fresh water, which should have been kept 

 for some time in the same room, that the 

 temperature may be the same. A very 

 little guano, mixed with the water strength- " 

 ens the plant. 



