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ON HEMP. 229 



We are far from condemning the method of braking Hemp, 

 when it is done with all the care that is necessary. It is, in many 

 cases, preferable to peeling, the inconveniences and abuses of which 

 will be explained under the head of Peeling. Marcandier. 



The operation of braking Hemp, by which general term is 

 however strictly meant only the breaking of the reed, which some 

 call the bunn, or woody part of the stem within the bark (for the 

 bark itself, of which is made the filamentous substance that is spun 

 and used in manufactures, only bends under the hand of the dresser, 

 and does not break) ; this operation, I say, has hitherto generally 

 been executed three ways, namely, by beating the Hemp with 

 beetles, which is a laborious and tedious work ; or by the Dutch 

 hand-brake, which is in every respect much preferable to the bee- 

 tle; or by fluted rollers, worked by horses, wind, or water ; but of 

 choice by the latter, where a running stream can be procured. 



This last is more expeditious and less laborious than either of 

 the other ways: but it is dangerous to the workmen employed 

 therein ; because, if by any inadvertence the rollers should catch 

 hold of their fingers, the loss of a limb, at least, is inevitable. The 

 only means of preventing this dreadful consequence, in such a case, 

 is to have an iron crow at hand, ready to clap instantly between the 

 rollers, as is practised in sugar-works, which are of a similar con- 

 struction. 



The fluted rollers are undoubtedly the best instrument for break- 

 ing Hemp, because the length of the stalk, and the strength of the 



reed 



