78 



ON HEMP. 



generally most critical : but in a short time it acquires strength 

 enough to bear all the cross accidents that can befal it. A little rain, 

 before or after the Hemp is sown, turns much to its advantage. 



Marcandier. 



The season for sowing Hemp depends, in a great measure, on 

 the quality of the soil. In dry light ground, it should be sown as 

 soon as the danger of frost or other inclemency of the weather is 

 over, in the latter end of April or beginning of May, so that it 

 may get up early, and by covering the ground prevent the danger 

 of drought. In wet cold grounds, it should be sown later, that is 

 to say, not till the sun has exhaled the too great moisture of those 

 grounds ; and this may not be till the middle or even the latter end 

 of May. The author of an Account of Hemp, in the Memoirs of 

 the Royal Society of Agriculture at Tours, advises to sow Hemp 

 even so late as the latter end of June, in case the season for it be not 

 favourable sooner ; and he observes, that the crop sown then will be 

 as plentiful, and of as good a quality, as if the sowing had not been 

 delayed so long ; especially if a very dry season does not come on 

 immediately after. The truth of this is evinced by the experience 

 of those who are obliged to sow a second, and sometimes a third 

 crop, when their former sowing has miscarried, through the incle- 

 mency of the weather, and particularly of frost, which is a great 

 enemy to Hemp. Another reason, too, which he assigns in favour 



of 



