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having been superseded by Tobacco.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 ior suc- 
ceeding crops. In Kentucky it grows frorn 1 to 
in 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 IjUO 
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 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. 100 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 V- 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. Ket 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 ot 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 POR SEED. — Sow in river bot- 
tom at rate of 2 quarts to the acre, plant in lulls 
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. 
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§ REMEMBER. If anything you buy of us proves unsatisfactory 1* any fi 
way, your money will be refunded cheerfully, and without J. 
® argument, upon the prompt return of the goods. No firm is more anxious 
to do the “square thing” than 
THE C. S. BRENT SEED CO. 
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