ON HEMP, 



101 



fecundans, ripens earlier than the female, generally by three weeks 

 or even a month ; but the time of the ripening of either depends 

 much on the nature of the soil. The Male Hemp shews its ripeness 

 by turning yellow at top, and whitish at the bottom of the stem. 

 But this sort in particular should be pulled rather before it is quite 

 ripe, that is to say, while it is yet somewhat green ; for if it be too 

 ripe, its fibres will adhere so strongly to the reed as not to be separa- 

 ted therefrom without some loss; neither will they be soft, and con- 

 sequently not so fit for domestic uses, as those of Hemp which is 

 pulled before it has attained to a perfect maturity. 



The ripeness of the Female, or seed-bearing Hemp, is known, 

 not only by the same signs as that of the Male, but also by the seeds 

 beginning to turn brown, and by the capsules which contain them 

 beginning to open. Mills's Husbandry. 



The Female [read Male] * Hemp, which is that which bears 

 only flowers and no seed, is known to be ripe by the flowers fading, 

 the farina fcecundans falling, and some of the stems turning yel- 

 low. The Male \_read Female]* is known to be ripe enough by the 

 stems becoming pale. If you stop till the tuft containing the seed 

 appears ripe, or the stems turn brown, the Hemp will be in a great 

 measure spoiled. Abbe Bridles. 



The male or karle Hemp always ripens first, and about the 

 middle of August begins to drop its leaves and turn pale. When 



this 



* The Abbe" Brulles has changed the sexes. 



