178 



ON HEMP. 



the mode of steeping being the best, as it is known to be almost 

 universally adopted in that part of the countries in question, in 

 which these articles are cultivated of the best quality, and to the 

 greatest extent. Dumo. 



All that are employed in the cultivation of Hemp know how 

 it is commonly laid down to be watered. It is covered with a little 

 straw to keep the dirt from sticking to it, and loaded with pieces of 

 wood and large stones, or other heavy materials, that it may be al- 

 ways five or six inches below the surface of the water. 



As the physical effect of watering was not formerly inquired in- 

 to, errors prevailed,- the consequences of which were not perceived. 

 The watering of Hemp producing only a proportional dissolution of 

 a certain quantity of the gum, which joins all the fibres of the 

 Hemp together, and attaches them to the stem; it is of some conse- 

 quence to observe, where, when, and how this dissolution is effect- 

 ed. The finest and clearest water is always the best.' Some make 

 a kind of ditch on the edge of a river, where the water, being 

 more still and warm, ferments easily, and penetrates more quickly 

 the parcels of Hemp that are laid in it. When they are taken out of 

 this ditch, it will be sufficient to wash them in the current of the 

 river, which will carry off all the gum and mud that would other- 

 wise cleave to them. The Hemp that is watered in rivers is always 

 the whitest and of the best quality. That which we are obliged to 

 lay in ditches, pools, or reservoirs of standing water, and unfit for 



the 



