296 



as tliey greatly contribute to enrich it for the succeeding crop. The 

 stalks are then arranged as nearly as possible in equal lengths, the root 

 ends being all laid on the same side of each handful or bundle, which 

 is then tied round with one of the stalks. 



"When the hemp is gathered, from which seed is to be preserved, it 

 is exposed eight or ten days to the air, after which the heads are cut off 

 and the seed thrashed and separated in the same manner as linseed. 

 The processes to which the hemp is subjected before it is rendered 

 marketable, and in a state fit for spinning, are very similar to those 

 practised with flax. The same end is required to be attained — that 

 of separating and cleansing the fibres from the woody and gummy matters 

 which adhere to it, and the means used are therefore the same, the 

 time and degree of each operation being proportionate to the different 

 nature of the two fibres. 



The heckles used for hemp are somewhat coarser than those for flax. 

 The teeth of the coarsest are usually about an inch in circumference 

 at bottom, diminishing gradually to a sharp point, and they are set 

 about two inches apart from each other. The produce of an acre of 

 land sown with this plant usually averages from four to five hundred- 

 weight of cleansed hemp, and from sixteen to twenty-four bushels of 

 seed. The culture of hemp is considered to be very profitable, and there- 

 fore, as we have observed when treating of flax, many attempts have 

 been made to encourage its further growth in England ; but a great 

 prejudice formerly existed against this crop, and it was supposed to 

 exhaust the land to such a degree, that many landowners inserted in 

 the leases granted to their tenants covenants prohibiting its culti- 

 vatien. 



But under our present improved system of husbandry, and particu- 

 larly with reference to the seed when made into compound, upon 

 the same principle as linseed, to fatten cattle, its deteriorating effects 

 would be entirely obviated. Hemp seed affords a very useful oil, 

 similar in its qualities to linseed, and also cake, which is largely im- 

 ported, with the refuse of other oleaginous plants, roots, and nuts, 

 and sold to the farmers of this country under the new-fashioned name 

 of feed -cake. 



