No. 216.] 175 



HEMP. 



By Lewis Sanders, Kentucky. 



To Mr. T. B. Wakeman, 



Cor, Sec'y American Institute, JVew-York. 



Sir — The first settlers of Kentucky cultivated hemp for domestic 

 use. Coarse fabrics made from it are known to be more durable than 

 if made from flax; four hemp shirts will last a laborer longer than 

 six made of flax. More than fifty years ago rope walks were estab- 

 lished, making plow lines, bed cords, and cordage for boats. 



About forty years ago, the manufacture of cotton bagging was 

 commenced, causing an increased demand for hemp. Previous to the 

 war of 1812, there was more hemp produced than was required for 

 the manufacture of bagging and rope. The surplus was then made 

 into spun yarns, shipped to the eastern ports, and there made into 

 cordage for the merchant service. The number of bagging factories 

 were greatly increased after the war, using nearly all of the hemp, 

 and leaving but little for commerce ; this state of things continued 

 for many years. 



A few years ago, Mr. D. Myerly recommended the water rotting of 

 hemp to farmers. Previously, it was nearly all prepared for market 

 by dew rotting. From Mr. M's zeal and intelligence on the subject 

 of water rotting hemp, may be dated its commencement in the west. 

 The manufacture of cotton bagging requiring but little skill, and on- 

 ly a small outlay of machinery, it rapidly increased after the war. 

 In 1844 there were five hundred and ten hand looms at work, besides 

 several worked by steam power; producing a quantity greatly above 

 the requirements to cover all the cotton produced in the United States; 

 the over production depressed the price below its actual cost. To 

 sustain themselves, the manufacturers reduced the price of hemp cor- 

 respondingly. Bagging has been sold at Louisville at less than eight 

 cents per yard; hemp for less than fifty dollars per toti. 



