334 THE HEMP CKOP. 



care having been taken in the preparation of the land 

 that the seed-bed be in fine tilth, and well supplied 

 with food for the early growth of the crop. After the 

 harrows have covered in the seed, a light roller should be 

 run over the surface to complete the operation, and then 

 the field must be carefully protected against the depreda- 

 tions of small birds for some days after the plants have 

 fairly appeared above the ground. When the young plants 

 have attained a height of about 3 or 4 inches above the 

 ground, they should be "bunched" and "hand-pulled" (see 

 page 303, vol. i.) out to distances of about 8 to 12 inches 

 apart in the drill, the stoutest and most vigorous plants 

 being left for the crop. It is always desirable to send in 

 the horse-hoes between the rows before the plants get too 

 forward, so that whatever weeds have sprung up may be 

 destroyed, the future growth of the crop effectually 

 keeping them from again appearing on the surface. 

 Beyond this no other tillage operations are necessary 

 until the period of flowering, which generally takes place 

 in about twelve weeks after the date of sowing, and then 

 is seen the peculiarity of the cultivation of hemp as 

 compared with our other crops. If the crop be intended 

 for its fibre produce only, the harvesting generally takes 

 place as soon as the process of flowering is completed, and 

 both male and female plants are pulled at the same time, 

 and treated in the same manner. When, however, the 

 double produce of fibre and seed are desired, a different 

 method is pursued, by which the full produce of the crop 

 is secured. The male plants are readily recognized by the 

 difference of their inflorescence, which has already been 

 described. When this process is complete, and the female 

 plants have been fecundated by their pollen, the functions 

 of the male plants have been performed, the flowers rapidly 

 fade, the colour of the stem changes, and decay commences, 

 while the female plants are still in full vigour, completing 



