186 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



one, as it is brought down on to the hemp. It is a machine 

 so common, however, that we deem further description un- 

 necessary. After breaking out the hemp, it is twisted into 

 bunches, and sent to the press-house to be baled, and is then 

 transported to market." 



WATER ROTTING. " We think the best plan for water 

 rotting is in vats under cover, the water in which is kept at 

 an equable temperature. The hemp thus gets a perfect rot 

 at all seasons of the year, in seven or ten days, and when 

 dried, is of a bright, greenish, flaxen color, and is considered 

 by many, of a better quality, and appears as handsomely as 

 the finest Russian, and brings as high a price in market. 

 These vats may be easily constructed and managed, and if 

 built in a central position, by a company of planters on joint 

 account, they would be but of small expense to each, and all 

 in turn could be accommodated by them. The hemp is first 

 broken in a machine, which is moved by steam power, pre- 

 vious to rotting, this lessens the bulk greatly, by ridding it of 

 most of its woody fibre ; but the process is not esssntial to 

 rotting in vats, and can be dispensed with where the ma- 

 chines do not exist. If to be rotted in spring or river water, 

 artificial pools or vats must be formed for this purpose, and 

 should not be over three feet deep, otherwise the hemp is lia- 

 ble to an unequal rot. It will require plank placed upon it 

 weighted down with timbers or stones, in order to keep it 

 well under water. Mr. Myerle recommends vats 40 feet long. 

 20 feet wide, and 2 feet deep, as best and the most conven- 

 ient for the season, that the hemp is kept cleaner while rot- 

 ting, and the hands can lay it down in the vats and take it out 

 without getting wet, which is very important to the health of 

 the laborer. These vats also greatly facilitate the operation, 

 and can be fed with water and have it run off at pleasure, 

 without endangering loss from the hemp. Water rotting in 

 streams, requires a longer or shorter period, according to the 

 season. In September, when the water is warm, ten days 

 is generally sufficient ; in October, about fifteen, and in De- 

 cember, thirty days or more. For the latitude of Kentucky, 

 October and November are considered the best months for 

 the operation, and perhaps is easiest done, gives more lint, 

 and upon the whole, as good a sample as if deferred later." 

 (American Agriculturist.) 



RAISING HEMP SEED. It is important that the farmer 

 should be supplied with good seed, which is free from weeds, 

 and this he can only be certain of when he produces it, him- 



