ON HEMP. 



121 



to this condition, the Hemp is taken out of the holes, where it 

 would become mouldy if it were left longer in them. 



In other places, where the crops of Hemp are great, the hus- 

 bandmen do not bury the heads of their Seed-Hemp in the man- 

 ner above described ; but only lay it in heaps, with the seed ends 

 one against another. 



Those who have only small crops of Hemp, spread upon the 

 ground a cloth to receive the seed : others content themselves with 

 spreading the bundles upon a clean and even spot of ground, with 

 all the heads turned the same way. The seed-ends thus placed, are 

 beaten slightly, either with a stick or a light flail. The seed which 

 falls out easiest is always the ripest and best, and should therefore be 

 reserved for sowing the next spring; and as to that which remains in 

 the heads of the Hemp after this operation, it is got out by combing 

 the heads of the Hemp on the teeth of a ripple, which pulls off the 

 leaves, the husks of the seeds, and the seeds themselves altogether. 

 These are gathered in a heap, and left in that condition for a few 

 days ; after which they are spread out to dry, and then fthreshed, 

 and finally the seeds are separated and cleaned by winnowing and 

 sifting. This second seed is used only for extracting oil from if, 

 or for feeding poultry and birds. 



As for the Hemp, it is carried to the steeping-place, to under- 

 go the same process as the male Hemp. Du Hamd. 



R After 



