ON HEMP. 227 



After the Hemp is thoroughly steeped, the next operation is to 

 separate the bark from the reed or woody part : and this may be 

 done in two ways ; either by pulling out the reed from every stalk 

 with the hand, or drying and braking it like Flax. 



Hemp is broken by machinery, after being steeped in a manner 

 similar to Flax : but the instruments used for this purpose are all 

 worked by the hand. Encyclopedia Britannic®. 



In the provinces that abound with Hemp, and where the people 

 are laborious, they generally brake it all. For this end it must be 

 made exceedingly dry, that the stems, once put into the brake, 

 may not come out till they are perfectly broken, and as it were 

 ground to pieces. The fibres of the Hemp, rubbed and bruised by 

 this first operation, are cleared of the grossest gum, divided, and 

 rendered fine and soft; and when this work is well performed, as 

 we have seen it done*, the Hemp is separated from the stem with- 

 out any kind of loss, and the advantages which the manufacturers 

 derive from it are very considerable. 



We shall give no description of the instrument called the brake, 

 which is as well known to such as make no use of it as to those that 

 do; and in case of need, may be easily brought from the places 

 where it is used. It consists only of two pieces of wood, may be 

 had at a very moderate price; and a workman who has seen but 

 one model of it will be able to make as many as mayWve a whole 

 province. 



g g 2 One 

 • In several cantons of Lower Berry, Argies, Busaneois, Azay, Marteiza, &c. 



