ON HEMP, 



173 



After the Hemp is pulled and made up into bundles, it is im- 

 mersed in a pool, or other stagnant water, where it must remain five 

 or six days to rot the bark so that it may the more easily be separated 

 from the reed. A stream of running water would do the business 

 much better; but this is prohibited by law, * as it is found to im- 

 pregnate the water with its injurious qualities. 



Chambers's Dictionary,. 



The steeping of Hemp is absolutely necessary, in order to sepa- 

 rate the bark, which is properly the Hemp, from the reed or woody 

 part. In Suffolk, this operation is called water-retting. But some- 

 times a mere exposure to the air is substituted in its place, turning 

 the Hemp frequently during the time it is exposed ; this is called 

 dew-retting ; but the former method is universally deemed prefera- 

 ble. Dew-retted Hemp is generally stacked and covered during the 

 winter. In January and February it is spread upon meadow-land, and 

 whitens with the frost and snow ; though it is always much inferior 

 lo the other, and proper for the coarser yarns only. 



The length of time required for steeping Hemp is various ; a 

 complete knowledge of it can only be obtained by practice. Standing 

 water is preferred, and the same water will steep Hemp three times 

 during the season ; but the first has always the best colour. 



The slenderest Hemp requires the most saoking. The opera- 

 tion is known to be finished by the reed separating easily from the 

 k a rk. Encyclopedia Britannica. 



I anx 



* Vide Act 33 Hen. VIII. ch. Li, and 6 Geo. Ill, 



