THE GEN-ESEE FAEMEE. 



TTffM-p AND ITS CITLTIVATION, 



At the suggestion of a 

 Canadian correspondent 

 wlio desires information 

 upon hemp and hemp- 

 growing, with a view of 

 substituting that crop 

 for wheat, we have de- 

 voted some time to col- 

 kting and condensing 

 the information Avithin 

 our reach, not having 

 any practical knowledge 

 or suggestions applicable 

 to the case, 



•Ilemp {Cannabis sati- 

 ra) is an important crop, 

 and has been extensively 

 cultivated for years in diiferent paits of Europe and 

 in some of the United States. Russia ranks first in 

 its production, as well as in th-e quality of the staple 

 grown. It has been successfully, though we think 

 aot very profitably, gi-own in some counties in 

 England. Judging from the climate and soil of 

 Ilussia, we Should think there would be little difli- 

 culty in growing hemp in Canada "West, or any of 

 the range of country in that latitude. In Russia, 

 tlie great bulk of the crop is growii in small patches 

 by the peasants — an evidence that its cultivation 

 3 not difiicult. 



A soil that would be suitable for flax would be 

 proper for hemp ; and as the latter is a rank, strong- 

 growing plant, it will probably succ-eed well even 

 on soils that are not as fine and thoroughly pulver- 

 ized as those usually devoted to flas. Good, fair, 

 well-manured soils, even those somewhat clayey, 

 as well as old meadows, rich alluvial and even re- 

 claimed muck-beds, are adapted to its growth. A 

 :rass or clover sod, fall plowed, and then re-plowed 

 n the spri-ng, is best for it. It does not succeed 

 i,rell on new land. As it roots deep when well 

 L.'rc>wn, the soil should be made deep and well 

 iroken. 



Early sowing is recommended as producing the 

 )est crop. After danger from severe frosts is 

 massed, seeding may be performed, and continued 

 IS late as the first of June. In this section, from 

 ist of May to June 10th would probably be the 

 lesirable time. "Where large amounts are grown, 

 t would be preferable to sow at different periods, 

 m accout of convenience in harvesting. 



Much care is required in the selection of seed, as 

 t is liable to heat unless spread thin and well taken 

 ore of until wanted. The seed of the previous 



year's crop is preferable. Erom a bushel to a 

 bushel and a half is used to the acre, according to 

 the soil, and many recommend two bushels, think- 

 ing the lint is better. While it is important that 

 the grouiid should be all occupied, it is injurious to 

 have too thick agrowth, as a part wil thus become 

 smothered after it has drawn much of the fertility 

 from the soil, to the detriment of the balance of 

 the crop. The seed is sown broadcast when a crop 

 of hemp is the object, but succeeds best in drills 

 when a crop of seed is desired. After sowing, the 

 ground is either harrowed or plowed to cover the 

 seed. On old ground,, plowing in the seed succeeds 

 best, as it is less liable to be injured by rains and 

 the baking of the earth. Rolling the ground after 

 seeding, is recommended as very useful. As the 

 crop covers the ground so closely as to prevent the 

 growth of ^rass or weeds, no further attention will 

 be necessary until it is ready f&r hai'vesting. 



The proper period, for cutting is usually from 

 three to three and a half montiis after sowing, 

 when the leaves become of a yellowish hue, if it 

 •stands a week or so longer, it does not rot so even- 

 ly, and i-equires more labor m Ix'eakmg. Some stall 

 practice pulling the crop, though in the United 

 States it is now almost universally cut, which 

 should be as close to the ground as possible. Cut- 

 ting up is done with an instniment similar to that 

 used in cutting corn. 



Whether cut or pulled, the plants are laid on the 

 ground, keeping the butts even, where it lays two 

 or three days, in good weather, to dry. It is 

 thought a light rain, while laying on the ground, is 

 beneficial in assisting the falling of the leaves, 

 which should be removed before the hemp is taken 

 up. This is done by binding in small hand bandies, 

 and setting them up in shocks similar to corn. 

 binding the tops with a band of the same. Some 

 cultivators allow it to stand in the shock until the 

 time of rotting; others put them in convenient 

 stacks, where they remain a year, and sometimes 

 even two years, before exposing them to rotting. 

 By letting it i-emain so long a period, it undergoes 

 a sweating process, which is supposed to improve 

 tlie appearance and quality of the lint. 



That the soil of large portions of the Northern 

 United States and Canada is suited to the growth of 

 hemp, can not be doubted ; though whether it can be 

 made a profitable crop, will admit of question. We 

 are not aware whether there is any contingency as 

 to the stalk coating with a good fibre, as in the case 

 of flax, but presume it is subject to more or less 

 uncertainty. Much attention has been bestowed 

 upon its cultivation in Kentucky and other south- 



