210 MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



and correct judgment, as Mr. Anderson, of Louisville, Kentucky, the patentee 

 of the Brake. 



Then of Mr. Sanders — who we believe has the agency for selling the rights — 

 on personal knowledge we can add that he is among the oldest and most zealous 

 promoters of agricultural improvements in our country, and that he has passed 

 the best portion of an active and useful life in the midst of a Hemp region. — 

 Moreover, it may be farther stated that one of the largest and most accomplished 

 manufacturers of Hemp and Flax in this country, anxious on this subject, and 

 every way disinterested in this case, has expressed to us his strong persuasion 

 that in this machine we are at last presented with the long-sought desideratum ; 

 that is, one which will expeditiously prepare the article for the manufacturer, 

 while it develops and preserves the fibre in all its elasticity, strength, and every 

 valuable quality. 



Mr. Skinneh : New-Yoek, September 20, 1847. 



Sir — An old correspondent oi your American Farmer wishes to call the atten- 

 tion of persons interested in the growth and in the manufacture of Hemp and 

 Flax, to the recent discoveries made by Mr. James Anderson, of Louisville, Ky., 

 both as to the preparation of Hemp and Flax, and to his newly-invented Brake. 



First as to the preparation : It is a fact well known to modern chemists that 

 organic vegetable matter which contains nitrogen in the largest quantities is most 

 prone to fermentation and putrefaction, which occurs spontaneously when it is 

 subjected to moisture and heat. 



Hemp or Flax contains nitrogen or azotized matter, and of course readily runs 

 into spontaneous fermentation when exposed to moisture and heat. 



In preparing Hemp or Flax for the Brake, persons heretofore have availed 

 themselves of the process of deiv or water rotting, in which the greatest care is 

 required not to materially injure the fibre ; but no Hemp or Flax can pass through 

 these processes without more or less injury. Even under the most skillful treat- 

 ment the fibre is partially weakened ; but the maceration and decomposition has 

 been found necessary to enable the operator to readily brake and clean it. 



The albuminous matter which is incorporated in the harl of Hemp and Flax, 

 in large quantities, with the fibre, is the first to decompose ; it therefore becomes 

 necessary to render that insoluble and the azotized matter therein inert, if it is 

 retained. 



Mr. Anderson effects this by the application of any known antiseptic. He has 

 used the sulphate of iron, and also the sulphate of alumina and potassa, with 

 satisfactory results — producing a chemical change in the azotized matter in the 

 Hemp ; rendering it unsusceptible of either fermentation or putrefaction ; giving 

 unusual durability ; adding greatly to its strength ; producing an article superior 

 to the best Russia Hemp. 



Vats of wood or masonry are constructed, suitable for the farm. As soon as 

 the Hemp is cured, the operation may begin. For the convenience of putting in 

 and takmg out, it should be tied in convenient sized bundles, cutting ofi' the seed 

 ends (five or six inches) with a broad-ax, on a block, handling it neatly ; the vat 

 then to be filled with as much Hemp as it will hold. For every filty gallons of 

 water required to fill the vat after the Hemp in the straw is placed in it, dissolve 

 four ounces of the sulphate of iron, which is recommended for Hemp ; fill the vat 

 with this liquor ; then, as soon as it is fully saturated, it is finished. Ten or 

 twelve hours is long enough, but staying in longer does no injury ; as soon as it 

 is dry it is ready for the Brake. 



Pursue the same process for Flax, but, instead of the sulphate of iron, use the 

 sulphate of alumina and potassa. The alum liquor does not change the color — 

 the iron liquor darkens it. By this process the farmer gets his crop to market at 

 least six months sooner than by either dew or water rotting — the product being 

 at least sixteen per cent, greater, as there is little or no waste from tow or over- 

 rotting. 



Test experiments have been made m Louisville, Kentticky, taking four samples 

 of Hemp. 



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