166 QUAKTERLY JOURNAL. 



sufficiently rotted the water is let oflF. It is very buoyant, and 

 requires great pressure to keep it immersed in the water. It did 

 not succeed well at first, and I am not now entirely satisfied with 

 my contrivance. Weights of logs or stones, or both, will answer ; 

 but are inconvenient to remove. I think the best plan will be to 

 sink posts at the distance of six or eight feet apart on each side of 

 the vats, but along side of them. At the bottom let there be hooks 

 in the posts, on which should be laid a log or beam, and then 

 cover them up with earth to the top of the vats. At the top of 

 the posts let there be also hooks, to receive logs passing across the 

 vats from one post to the opposite post. I know that this arrange- 

 ment, if properly executed, will keep the hemp down in the 

 water. 



The length of time of the immersion of the hemp depends upon 

 the temperature of the water ; it will remain in cold water six or 

 seven weeks ; whilst in very warm weather six or seven days, or 

 less, will be sufficient. You can only determine when the hemp is 

 sufficiently rotted by experiment — taking out a handful, and, 

 when dry, applying it to the brake ; but you will soon learn to 

 decide on that point. 



When the hemp is rotted enough, it should be spread on the 

 ground to dry — or, which is better, on short grass. If it be not 

 sufficiently rotted, the process may be completed by the rain and 

 dew, w^ithout injury. After it is rotted sufficiently, it is broken 

 out in the same old method that has long been practised with dew- 

 rotted hemp. There are now in progress in my neighborhood 

 various experiments to save labor, by breakmg out hemp with 

 horse power ; some of which, I think, will succeed. 



I am not yet able to inform you of the best mode of handling 

 and preparing the article for market. I have just sent (for the 

 first time) three or four tons to the eastern market, as specimens ; 

 and I shall know what is the best method when I hear how they 

 are received. I had the hemp put in bales of two or three hun- 

 dred weight, pressed by a powerful screw, and covered and tied up 

 with cotton bagging. One parcel was hackled so much as to take 

 off one-fourth in tow, but this tow is not lost ; the other parcel I 

 sent off as it came from the brake, clean, and divested of showers. 



I intend to engage more extensively this year in water-rotting 

 my crop, and I am very sanguine of success. American hemp, as 

 prepared, is undoubtedly as good as Russia hemp. 



Wishing you great success in your enterprise,! am, respectfully, 

 your obedient servant. 



H. CLAY. 



Bernard Myers, Esq.. 



