ON HEMP, 



207 



readily worked off in the course of half a day. The natives are 

 aware of this, and frequently examine the plant while in the wa- 

 ter ; but I find them prone to err, in leaving the plant to the latest 

 minute, and this not so much to save trouble, as to accelerate the 

 operation of reeding, well knowing, that the latter part of their 

 work is likely to be injured by every hour's delay. They should be 

 encouraged to begin a little before, rather than at the very exact 

 moment it may be said to be ready. 



Their method of placing the plant upright in the water, immers- 

 ing the stronger part for only one day before the weaker end, speaks for 

 itself; and is a proof that they are not wanting in sagacity. 



But their practice of covering the plants with sods and other 

 rubbish, while in the water, is of no use whatever : on the contra- 

 ry, it mixes with the plant, makes it dirty, and requires more time 

 than they are willing to allow (however necessary) to cleanse it all 

 away : but by steeping in clean water, and keeping the plant down ■ 

 a foot below the surface with bamboos, all their additional trouble is 

 saved, and any detriment to the plant avoided. 



Mr. Frushard adds : It is in cleaning the fibres he finds the 

 Natives are most liable to fail. It should not only be strongly in- 

 sisted that they beat the plant (by handfulsat a time) on the surface 

 of the water, and which is best performed in the River, to rid it of 

 all the filth and mucus with which it abounds after steeping ; but 

 moreover, when the fibre is separated, it must be thoroughly washed, 

 by repeatedly squeezing the water out of it, and ultimately be well 

 wrung, to accelerate the drying, which is most essential to restor- 

 ing 



