THE PROBLEM OF LYNCHETS. 



properties. There was no further legislation with regard to 

 these plants till the twenty-third year of George III. (c. 27), 

 when a bounty of threepence a stone was allowed on all hemp 

 raised in Great Britain ; and a duty laid on all that was imported. 



iS. Were any of these tillage terraces made for the growth of 

 flax and hemp ? The essential matters for their cultivation are 

 a suitable soil, such as a sandy loam, freshly-broken pasture, 

 land constantly enriched (25 tons of well-rotten manure to the 

 acre). Moreover, an analysis of the ashes of hemp-stems shows 

 that decomposing mica, such as occurs in the Midford Sands, 

 would be a valuable auxiliary. Perfect drainage, too, is neces- 

 sary ; since, if water remains on the land at any time of the year 

 for only very short periods, the crop is injured. Water is 

 required for the steeping-pools in which the stems are soaked, 

 and an expanse of short grass on which to spread them for 

 bleaching — a process that occupies about three weeks. How 

 easily Bridport could furnish all these requisites. 



Lastly, as regards ploughing, the furrows must not be more 

 than six inches ivide, nor less than six inches deep. 



19. But lynchets are also numerous on the chalk. Diagram H 

 shows the section of a lynchet cut by I\Ir. Middleton at 

 Eweleaze, Bradford Peverell, and visited by the club in Septem- 

 ber, iqo2. 



fyutdlcnd Pcmeli. 



H. 



