HEMP. 11 



devastations of the feathered tribe, which, if left un- 

 molested, would make sad havoc among the newly- 

 sown c^rain. The seeds rise up out of the ground with 

 their green shoots in the manner of French beans or 

 lupins, and the birds, mistaking these for perfect 

 seeds, tear them away with the young plants adher- 

 ing to them, thus the hopes of the planter may be 

 destroyed as soon as they have sprung forth. 



The farmers endeavour to frighten away these 

 depredators with scarecrows, as well as by the cla- 

 mour of children, who are set to watch the grounds. 

 But these precautions are often found insufficient*, 

 and the superior vigilance of men or dogs is required 

 effectually to prevent the mischief. Fortunately 

 the irksome occupation is but of short duration, for 

 as soon the hemp has put forth a few leaves, it is no 

 longer in danger from the attacks of its former 

 assailants. 



After this period, the hemp ground requires very 

 little care or labour till it is fit for pulling. This 

 plant is never overrun with weeds, but on the con- 

 trary, has the remarkable property of destroying their 

 vegetation. The cause of its producing this effect 

 is attributed by some cultivators to a peculiar poi- 

 sonous quality residing in its roots ; by others it is 

 considered to be so great an impoverisher of the soil 

 as to draw off all the nourishment, which would other- 

 wise contribute to the growth of weeds. 



Agriculturists sometimes take advantage of this 

 well-known fact, and by sowing a crop or two of 

 hemp on the rankest soils, they subdue all noxious 

 weeds, and entirely cleanse the ground from these 

 troublesome intruders. One of the greatest difficul- 

 ties attending the clearing of the ground alluded to 

 at page 73, the swamp near the Lago di Patria, 

 was to rid it of an exuberant growth of canne, or 

 * Wissett on Hemp. 



H 3 



