ON HEMP. 



251 



After watering the plants, they should be bruised with a brake, 

 and then scutched and heckled. Were a quantity of this article 

 required, the most expeditious method would be with a mill, similar 

 to what is used in some parts of Europe ; for an account of which 

 vide Encyclopedia Britannka. If particular care is taken with the 

 plants, they may likewise be prepared by peeling. After they 

 have been watered about the same length of time as for the above- 

 mentioned process of braking, they should be taken out, dried and 



heckled. Mr. Douglas.— Bengal Cons. 5th May, 1801. 



In India, the use of the Hemp-brake is unknown. The fibre 

 is there divided from the pith, by peeling each plant separately, as 

 is also done in some cases in England. If those who peel the Hemp- 

 plants, are instructed to remove the fibre with as much caution as 

 possible, to prevent it from separating into too small bundles, * and 

 afterwards to clear it of as much of the slime and bark as possible, 

 by washing it again in water, (operations which would cost little in 

 a country where labour is cheap) ; such Hemp is very likely to 

 excel materially in strength every kind, in which the fibre is more 

 dislodged from its natural station, either by the brake, or any other 



mode of dressing or cleansing. 



Letter from the Lords of the Privy Council to the 

 Court of Directors, 4th Feb. 1803. 



K k 2 COMMERCOLLY. 



* So in the Original. Qnere, should it not be Ribbands? 



