ON HEMP. 



45 



been well buried. It is true, that pigeons and birds which do not 

 scratch, do no great hurt to the grains of corn that are well covered 

 with earth : but the husks of these grains do not rise up out of the 

 ground with their green shoots, as those of Hemp always do ; and 

 then it is, that these birds, mistaking them for perfect seeds, tear 

 them away with the young plants to which they adhere, and there- 

 by commit vast havock. 



The farmers endeavour to frighten the birds away with scare- 

 crows, and cause their children to watch the Hemp-grounds. But 

 these precautions are found to be insufficient ; for this is a very la- 

 borious task when the Hemp-grounds are large, especially if the 

 pigeons, which are so greedy after it, be hungry. I have seen strong 

 men, and even dogs, so wearied out with fatigue, as to be forced to 

 give up the task. Happily, this troublesome work does not last 

 long; for when the Hemp has put forth a few leaves, it requires 

 no further tending. 



After the plants have come up, the Hemp-grounds require very 

 little care or labour till the gathering of the produce. In general, 

 it is deemed sufficient to keep the ditches in order, and to prevent , 

 the cattle from entering them. 



In very dry seasons, however, some industrious farmers water 

 their Hemp-grounds by the hand : but this is not practicable, unless 

 the grounds be small, and the water be near at hand ; or they may 

 be watered by immersion or overflowing, as I believe is done in 

 some places. 



If 



