Hemp 
Cutting and Spreading Hemp 
Hemp has been grown in America for 130 years. Orig- 
inally brought here from France but is a native of Asia. 
For many years it was the most profitable crop grown 
in Kentucky, only lately having been superseded by To- 
bacco. The past two years has seen a renewed interest 
in Hemp on account of the attractive prices. This year 
all indications are for an excellent crop both in yield 
and quality, much of which has been contracted for at 
attractive prices. About nine-tenths of the Hemp grown 
in the United States is grown in the twelve central coun- 
ties of Kentucky. It is also grown in Missouri, Illinois, 
Nebraska, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York 
and California. 
Hemp does best on limestone soils, but will do well 
on almost any good soil. Moisture and well prepared 
ground are absolutely essential. Hemp leaves the soil 
in fine condition for succeeding crops. In Kentucky it 
grows from 7 to 10 feet high; in Indo-China 20 to 25 
feet. Every foot in height adds 150 pounds to acre. 
Twelve feet high would mean a yield of about 1,500 
pounds: The plants must have moisture and heat to 
thrive, better excessive rains than drought. The fibre 
is silky and pure white; it is taken from the inner bark, 
to which it is closely bound by a resinous gum by first 
retting (rotting) by exposure to the weather to loosen 
the bark which is then separated either by hand braking 
or machinery. 
Nitrogen is the element required by Hemp when sown 
for fibre. 160 pounds of Nitrate of Soda to the acre is 
recommended by the Kentucky Experiment Station to 
secure an increase of 300 to 400 pounds of fibre to the 
acre. 
CULTURE. — The soil should be thoroughly prepared. 
Sow in April — the Kentucky Experiment Station for 
eight years records sowing on April 25th, one bushel to 
acre, 2 inches deep. Best results are obtained with 7-inch 
wheat drill as the plants grow more uniform than when 
sown broadcast. After sowing, roll the land. Do not 
sow too thick. The best fibre comes from stalks about 
-inch in diameter. Plants will begin to show in one 
week. Blossom in July when sown in April, cut about 
September the first, by hand, with mower or heavy self- 
raking reaper close to the ground. Let it lie on the 
ground for about a week, then stack; this improves the 
fibre, and there is less loss. If allowed to remain too 
long on the ground it is liable to sunburn and the qual- 
ity be injured. If stacked before sufficiently dry it heats. 
From the last of October until December, depending on 
the weather, the Hemp is taken from the stack and spread 
on the ground to ret, a process which liberates the lint 
or fibre. From one to two months are required, depend- 
ing on the weather, to make the Hemp ready to brake. 
Alternate freezing and thawing is ideal weather for ret- 
ting. 
HEMP GROWN FOR SEED. — Sow in river bottom at 
rate of 2 quarts to the acre, plant in hills and cultivate. 
When seed is ripe, beat out and clean on ordinary seed 
cleaner. The yield is from 15 to 30 bushels to the acre. 
DISKING LAND AT THE WRONG TIME CAUSE OF HEAVY LOSS TO FARMERS 
Do not harrow or disk your land immediately after plowing — let it rest at least 12 to 15 days, according 
to the season, to allow the air to penetrate, the. weeds to rot, foul seeds to sprout, and the microbes to 
multiply; a process of fermentation called ripening, and without which you cannot have your land in proper 
physical condition; you can give your land the proper chemical condition at any time by simply applying 
your 2-8-2, 3-8-3, or other commercial fertilizers, but the proper physical condition cannot be obtained by 
sheer force; you cannot push it; it must have the required time to rise and ripen. 
After allowing this process, of fermentation to take its course, your land is ready for disk or harrow. 
If the farmer neglects to give his land the opportunity of ripening, it should be no surprise to him to find 
the same sour and unproductive; onions, cockerel and peas in his wheat field, cheat and onions in his oats, 
plantain and wild carrots in his clover, and weeds and grass everywhere. 
