Hemp 
Cutting- and Spreading- Hemp. 
Hemp has been grown in America for 130 years. 
Originally 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having been superseded by Tobacco. 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 con- 
tracted for at attractive prices. About nine- 
tenths of the Hemp grown in the United States 
is grown in the twelve central counties of Ken- 
tucky. It is also grown in Missouri, Illinois, Ne- 
braska, 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 suc- 
ceeding crops. In Kentucky it grows from 7 to 
10 feet high: in Indio-China 20 to 25 feet. Every 
foot in height adds 150 pounds to acre. Twelve 
feet high would mean a yield of about 1500 
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 closelv bound 
by a rezinous 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 Ex- 
periment Station to secure an increase of 300 to 
400 pounds of fibre to the acre. 
CULTURE. — The soil should be thoroughly pre- 
pared. 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 Vs 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 ta 
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 quality be injured. If stacked before suffi- 
ciently 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, de- 
pending on the weather, to make the hemp ready 
to brake. Alternate freezing and thawing is ideal 
weather for retting. 
HEMP GROWN TOR SEED.— Sow in river bot- 
tom 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. 
MEXICO— SISAL 
The condition of civil war and anarchy which has existed in Mexico 
for the past few years continues; and at this writing it looks as though 
it may continue for some time. 
This has a direct bearing on Kentucky Hemp. The state of Yucatan, 
Mexico, is the world’s largest producer of Sisal, from which binder twine 
is made. The difficulty of securing this crop becomes greater each season. 
All other materials for the manufacture of ropes and twines are scarce. 
The demand for Kentucky Hemp is increasing and will probably increase 
for a number of years. 
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