PECULIAR METHODS OF PREPARATION. 337 
portion of one part to forty-eight of water, at a temperature of 
about 200° F., and the water to be about forty times the weight 
of the Hemp. Du Hamel tried boiling the Hemp stems in 
water, but he did not find that the peeling was facilitated. 
Marcandier recommended a second watering, and also the use of 
a warm alkaline ley. (1. c., pp. 243 and 245.) 
But as we have seen the use of hot water successfully 
applied to Flax in recent times, and soap has been used 
in several processes, and in a very ingenious manner in one 
which we omitted to notice,—that in which a little acid is 
afterwards added, so that decomposition takes place, in conse- 
quence of the acid uniting with the alkaline base, when the oil 
which is set free assists in softening the fibre. 
In the article on Sunn we have already referred (p. 276) 
to a peculiar method of drying, to which the Livonians are said 
to ascribe the good or bad quality of their Hemp. The stems 
are first set up to drain, and then spread out for a day to dry ; 
after which they are made up in heaps, and covered over with 
straw, or other similar material of any kind, to make them 
sweat. When they have sweated enough, they are laid again 
in small heaps, so that the air may dry them in the shade by 
blowing through them; after which they are next effectually 
dried by fire, kiln, or oven, and immediately put under the 
breakers whilst yet hot. It is probable that this method, when 
skilfully practised, must produce some of the same effects in 
Hemp as in some other vegetable substances. Mr. Frushard 
observes, with regard to the natives of India: ‘“ The reason why 
their tobacco falls so much to dust, is owing to its not being 
sweated enough. When properly sweated, as they manage it 
in America, it becomes tough like a bladder; and toughness 
and suppleness are the qualities wanted in Hemp.” (Wisset, 
p. 223.) 
Besides these, we have also the dry method of separating 
Hemp in some places, as related by Mr. Durno, who was the 
British Consul at Memel, and who states that in the southern 
parts of Poland, steeping is not practised at all, on the suppo- 
sition that the harle is thereby weakened, and the colour 
darkened. Instead of steeping, they there dry the stalks in 
the sun. But the dressing is more laborious, and consequently 
more expensive. (Wisset, p. 177.) Mr. Dickson, as in the case 
22 
