110 ON HEMP. 



Male] Hemp, breaking, as little as possible, the stems of that which 

 you take, or of that which you leave. 



When the Male [read Female] Hemp is come to a proper 

 degree of maturity, you must get a sufficient number of hands, so 

 as to expedite the business, because such as remains standing after it 

 is ripe, will have its rind fixed to the reed, the gum turned hard and 

 dark-coloured ; and the whole operation of drawing becomes 

 difficult, troublesome and ungrateful. 



Immediately as the Hemp is gathered, take it in as large hand- 

 fuls as you can, either cutting the roots off, or leaving them on 

 as you like best (I prefer cutting them off). Hold the root-end 

 uppermost, and with a wooden sword dress off the flowers and 

 leaves, which you leave on the field, since they assist in manuring 

 it : pick out any weeds or spoiled plants ; put twelve handfuls or 

 gripes together to make a bundle. 



Abbe Bridles. 



Hemp, for ordinary, grows to a prodigious height; and the 

 early Hemp is generally ready for pulling about the middle of 

 August, or sooner ; but the seed, or female Hemp, is a month later 

 of being ripe. M'DonaWs Essay. 



Hemp is later than Flax in ripening. The Male ripens four or 

 five weeks before the Female. They are both less injured by pulling 

 too soon than too late. Argyleshire Report. 



When 



