ON HEMP. 



31 



In the northern parts of Europe, the best crops of Hemp are 

 produced on black, not morassy, open, gravelly soil. Where the 

 ground is over-rich, the growth becomes exuberant, and consequent- 

 ly coarse. As quality is preferable to quantity, care is taken to re- 

 duce such a superior soil to the state of cultivation in which the ar- 

 ticle is found to thrive best. An inferior soil requires to be raised to 

 the like state. 



Mode of cultivating Hemp and Flax in Russia, Prussia, and Poland, 

 by James Durno, Esq. British Consul at Memel. 1795. 



In Suffolk the soil preferred is what is called in the district mixed 

 land; that is, sandy loam, moist and putrid, but without being stiff 

 or tenacious : in one word, the best land the country contains. It 

 of course does well, as may be supposed, on old meadows and low 

 bottoms near rivers. 



The Rev. Mr. Mills of Bury says : Hemp delights in a black 

 rich mould ; the richer * and stronger -f it is the better. It has 



sometimes 



* A rich black soil is best for every thing ; but it would too much discourage 

 the culture, if it were supposed to be essentially necessary. I have seen it thrive 

 well, sown after turnips fed off, on good common friable loams. Manure will 

 make it thrive on any except very dry soils. — Arthur Young. 



t A good and friable clay, well manured with mould, will answer. The 

 soil cannot be too rich. 



