6n hemp. 



87 



Sow it reasonably thick, observing not to lay it too deep in the 

 earth ; but cover it close and light, with the mould as fine as it can 

 possibly be made by repeated harrowing. It must also be attended 

 very carefully, especially about an hour or two before sun-rise, and 

 the like before sun-set, until the seed appear, to preserve them 

 from the birds and other vermin, who are greedy devourers of it. 

 If, after harrowing it, you spread over it some pigeons'-dung, it 

 will be useful, provided it be done in moist weather ; for without 

 moisture the great heat of such dung would burn the seed. 



I England's Improvement. 



When the seed is sown, it must be put under ground ; either 



by means of the harrow, if the field has been tilled with the 



plough ; or with the rake, if it has been done by hand : but, 



however well the seed may be covered, you must not lose sight 



of your field till the Hemp gets fairly above ground. The birds, 



especially the pigeons, are enemies which must be continually kept 



at a distance. Though they do not scratch, nor do the least injury 



to corn newly sown, when the seed is well covered, yet they are 



still dreadful to Hemp-seed, which rises quite out of the ground 



when it springs, whereas all other sorts of grain lie concealed in it ; 



and therefore the pigeons, perceiving the Hemp-seed at a distance, 



» 



when it rises and discovers itself, pick it up, and all is lost. This is 

 almost the only attention which Hemp-grounds require from the 

 seed time till the harvest. 



You 



