ON HEMP. 265 



renders it fine, by dividing the longitudinal fibres, without causing 

 a greater waste, in general, than from six to eight pounds per 

 quintal. 



SECOND OBJECTION. 



Scutching weakens the Hemp, 



Some rope-makers pretend, that it is dangerous to dress Hemp 

 to too high a degree of fineness, as it thereby becomes weaker, and 

 less fit for the manufacture of good cordage. 



That this is an error, pregnant with the worst of consequences 

 in rope-making, has been clearly proved by a great number of 

 experiments. 



THIRD OBJECTION. 



Though it may be expedient to scutch the Hemp produced in France;: 

 yet, as the Hemp imported from the Noilh is softer, it would 

 be a useless labour to scutch the latter. 



We allow, that it is much more necessary to scutch French 

 Hemp than that which is imported from Riga; but we are convinced, 

 from the result of a great number of experiments, that it is very 

 advantageous to make the Russian Hemp, likewise, undergo the 

 same operation. 



We are, therefore, of opinion, that every sort of Hemp should 

 be scutched; but that it is requisite to perform this operation with 

 more care and attention on Hemp that is rough, and full of reedy 

 particles, than on, such as is soft, fine, and well cleared of the boon. 



M m Plate IV.—- 



