14 CORDAGE FIBRES 



In California and Nebraska the hemp is retted on the land 

 where it is grown, and in this manner a portion of the fer- 

 tilizing elements in the crop is returned to the soil. No other 

 fertilizer is used in those States, and none seems necessary as 

 yet on the deep, rich soil. In Kentucky the soil has been kept 

 in a high state of fertility by herds of cattle and sheep. Barn- 

 yard manure is applied to corn and wheat the crops pre- 

 ceding hemp in the rotation but no fertilizer is applied to the 

 hemp crop itself. Fresh stable manure applied as a top dress- 

 ing produces an uneven growth of hemp plants, and when 

 ploughed under just before sowing time, it has a tendency to 

 dry out the soil. Fertilizers, to produce a satisfactory result 

 with hemp, must be thoroughly and uniformly mixed with the 

 soil, and should have a tendency to retain moisture. Barn- 

 yard manure and clover sod, therefore, being humus formers, 

 may be expected to give better results in the long run than 

 commercial fertilizers, which tend to deplete the humus or 

 decaying vegetable and animal matter. In the Southern 

 States, where clover does not succeed, and where stock- 

 raising has not yet received due attention, cowpons and cotton- 

 seed meal will make good fertilizers for hemp. Alkaline 

 chlorides like common salt (chloride of sodium) tend to 

 increase the cellulose in plants at the expense of starch and 

 sugar. The application of salt may therefore be expected to 

 increase the quantity and also the quality of the fibre, and in 

 experimental culture it has been proved to be true. Salt must 

 be used with caution, however, since it is likely to prove very 

 injurious on light soils or soils lacking in fertility. Muriate of 

 potash has an effect similar to that of common salt. 



The best results are usually secured by deep ploughing in 

 the autumn, followed by thorough harrowing in the spring. 

 Thorough deep ploughing is necessary to fit the soil to retain 

 moisture and to give opportunity for the development of the 

 roots. Harrowing before the seed is sown is generally neces- 

 sary to make the seed-bed fine and uniform. Harrowing is 



