ON HEMP. 179 



the purpose, is always of a bad colour and very disagreeable smell, 

 loaded with dirt, and loses a great deal in the dressing. 



In whatever manner this operation is performed, we know that 

 the Hemp is sufficiently watered when the bark is easily separated 

 from the stem. This we find out by drawing out every day a few 

 stalks for trial. It woulcf be dangerous to let the Hemp lie too long- 

 in the water; the fibres of the bark, too much divided by an undue 

 dissolution of the gum, would not have strength enough to stand 

 the effort they must sustain, when the Hemp is peeled or braked ; 

 and a great part of it would remain with the stems, and be lost in 

 the braking. 



It is therefore necessary, for this very reason, to leave the 

 Hemp no longer in the water, than is sufficient to separate the bark 

 from the stem, accurately and without loss. The same precaution 

 must be used with the Hemp that bears the fruit or seed, and remains 

 for ordinary five or six weeks on the ground after the other is pulled, 

 that it may come to perfect maturity. This delay is far from being 

 of any prejudice to the plant, as some have imagined. The bark, 

 as it ripens, acquires all that force and resistance which is suitable 

 to its nature, and becomes preferable, especially for the construc- 

 tion of ropes, which cannot be too strong or too solid. 



Marcandier, 



Having recited what Marcandier has stated on watering, as 

 above, Mr. Mills, in his Practical Husbandry, adds, " The judi- 



a a 2 ciously 



