On Hemp. 



181 



A good crop of hemp after beans will produce 28 to 30 

 bushels of seed per acre; in the ordinary way 20 to 22 bushels 

 per acre. 



Notwithstanding that heavy crops of beans and hemp, which 

 has just been noticed, may, under favourable circumstances as to 

 season, soil, manure and management, be obtained, the average 

 will fall far short of it. The same great drawback exists in the 

 growth of hemp that occurs in the cultivation of flax, viz. its non- 

 production of manure — whilst, on the other hand, the manure- 

 heap is drawn upon largely for this particular crop. It is quite 

 true that means might be contrived to make the steep-water avail- 

 able as a top-dressing for grass land, and by consuming the seed 

 and husks ground together a material can be obtained equal, 

 in feeding value, to linseed. Yet, with all the economical 

 management here pointed out, it is problematical if hemp-growing 

 will ever prove productive ; on particular soils, well adapted to 

 beans and hemp, both of which are admirable preparations for 

 wheat, it is possible that hemp may be profitably grown; but it 

 must be borne in mind that hemp land will grow other crops of 

 equal or superior value at a less cost' — for instance, if an old 

 pasture were broken up for hemp, the same soil would yield a 

 crop of potatoes of equal value and at less expense and trouble. 

 The only instance in which the hemp-culture can be profitably 

 carried on is in connexion with a manufactory that will work up 

 all the less valuable material : on a suitable soil, and when labour 

 is cheap, this may be done with advantage, as the hands in the 

 manufactory could be set to pulling, steeping, turning, &c, as 

 they are employments requiring no particular skill. I throw out 

 the hint, not expecting that it will ever be practised. On Chat 

 Moss, a recently-cultivated bog, Mr. Redfern informs me that he 

 grew hemp the last summer with the object of extirpating weeds, 

 a purpose for which, in consequence of its rapid growth, it is well 

 adapted. 



The following may be taken as a fair average of the prospects 

 of hemp-cultivation, both as regards cost and returns, viz. : — 



Expenses. 



£. 



s. 



d. 



Rent and taxes, per acre .... 



2 



10 



0 



20 tons of manure . , 



5 



0 



0 



3 bushels of seed ..... 



0 



15 



0 



Tillage . , 



1 



10 



0 



Pulling, steeping, &c. 



1 



10 



0 



Taking from steep, spreading, thrashing, &c. . 

 Scutching Is. 6d. per stone for 60 stone 



2 



5 



0 



4 



10 



0 



Cleaning seed, taking to market, &c. 



0 



7 



6 



18 7 6 



