268 



H E M P, 



METHOD OF BEATING OR BEETLING. 



Beating of Hemp was formerly performed eritirely by hand; 

 but it is now in most places done by a water-mill, which raises 

 three heavy beaters, falling upon it alternately ; the Hemp being 

 turned all the while by a boy, in order to receive the strokes equal- 

 ly. The finer the tow is required, the more beating is necessary. 



Encyclopedia Britannica. 



The next thing is to beat or beetle the Hemp, which is done 

 either on a block or in a .trough, with a hammer or with beetles, 

 till it feels sufficiently soft and pliable. The beetles used for this 

 purpose are moved by hand or by water. Chambers's Dictionary. 



The first operation of the hecklers is bunching or beating the 

 Hemp. This was formerly, and is still in some places, done by 

 hand ; but in Suffolk is now always done by a mill, which lifts up 

 two, and sometimes three, heavy beaters alternately, that play 

 upon the Hemp, while it is turned round by a man or a boy, to 

 receive the beating regularly. This mill is sometimes worked by a 

 horse, and sometimes by water. Suffolk Report. 



In 



