34 
THE SOUTHERN CULTiyATOR. 
say 2U ur 30 teei long; load your heirp on then), 
and sink them with rock. For the conveyance 
ol water to and from your pools, I will call your 
attention to the leaden pipes manufactured in 
this city by Mr. W. W. Thompson. These 
pipes will be a great acquisition for this pur- 
pose, as als > lor w'atering stock and avoiding 
waste of water. They can be made any length, 
and at a much cheaper rate than an ordinary 
spout. To those persons who are not in pos- 
session of springs, they can fix a small lifting 
pump in any part of their farm, and supply 
their vats with water. 
As regards the proce.ss, there need not be the 
slightest apprehension as to deleterious effects 
to health. As a demonstration ol this lad, in 
my operations for the Government, I had about 
two hundred men at the various pools in the 
hemp-growing region ol Kentucky, Irom 1840 
to 1841, in a circuit of 100 miles, and there was 
not one instance ol sickness, although many of 
the men e.xposed themselves to the water when 
it was not iiicessary, 1 also advice gentlemen 
not to attempt to deliv'er more than one ton of 
hemp to each laborer they have, and not to ex- 
ceed from 5 to 10 tons the season : beyond this, 
it will produce difficulties, 
1 will also dbseive the necessity ol watching 
your hemp closely when near the time of its 
lull solution. If you permit it to have too much 
rot, it will injure the hemp seriously in strength 
and in weight ; and to avoid this, "to those that 
are not particularly acquainted with its proper 
solution, they may take it oui before it is car- 
ried too far, and spread it down upon the field, 
for the dews and rains to finish, but at the s ime 
time be particular to attend to turning it, that it 
may receive an equal proportion of rains and 
dew's throughout. Bemp rotted in the spring is 
not of as good quality as that rotted in the fall, 
say the months of October, Novemoer, and De- 
cember. The spring rot produces a lightness 
of color, and the staple is weakened and loses 
much in weight. This is produced by the state 
of the atmosphere, and the sudden and extreme 
changes of it, as also, the hemo lying in the 
stack alter being a long time cut, undergoes 
what is termed a sw'eat, which chances the state 
ol the staple. In all the hemp-growing regions 
of Russia, the crops amount yearly to 1)0,000 
tons. The best hemp produced is in the Go- 
vernment of Cheiringoff. The hemp is mostly 
ol short staple, and of the very best quality ; the 
produce is about 15,000 tons yearly; — and also 
in part of the Govern nent of Orel, short staple 
is produced, and carried to the port ol Riga ; 
but the greater part of the hemp produced in this 
Government is long staple, of which the pro- 
duce isabout 14,000 tons. The hempol Koursk 
is mostly of long staple, and the produce 
isabout 13,000 tons. The hemp of the Go- 
vernment ol Tooler, is also long stanie, and 
produces about 13, COO tons. In the Govern- 
ments of Tambuff and Riazan, the produce is 
about 14,000 tons, but not of goo l quality, being 
more alter the color ot flax, and its staple is 
weak; it is chiefly produced lor the Archangel 
market, and a portion of it reaches St. Peters- 
burgh. Tlie hemp grown in the Government 
ot Smolenski, is of short staple, partakes ol the 
character of that produced in the Governments 
of Tambuff and Riazan, and which is mostly 
manufactured into sail-cloth fabrics; the pro- 
duce is about 7,000 tons, mo.stly short staple 
The Russian mode practiced in preparing their 
hemp, differs only with their instruction in rela- 
tion to the care and pains taken in preparation ; 
a portion of the country also adopts a chemical 
process to produce a rapid solution ol the gum 
whi'ffi is injurious to the staple. As this conn 
try is subject to frequent hail storms, the crops 
oftentimes fall short ot this. 
In laying this information before you, my ob- 
ject is to convey to you the quantitv and the va- 
rious qualities ol hemp prodiK-ed in the hemp 
growing regions of Russia. You will also m 
tice that we have a decided advantage over the 
Russian article, in comparing the small quan 
titj of long staple to ours, as all our hemp gene- 
rally is of long staple; therefore, by assiduous 
aueniion to the cultuie and luejiaring of it, our 
staple must and will have the ascendancy in 
the European market; in a rea.sonable time, 
Missouri can supply the whole world with 
hemp ; as well as must Illinois and Iowa arrive 
to be extensive hemp-growing Siaies, and of a 
superior quality. And let the agricultural in- 
terest of these IStates buckle on their energies 
and industry, and consummate it to the advance- 
ment of thei"^ own prosperity and the country in 
general. 
I have had the assurance recently given me, 
from a gentleman direct from London, ol the 
highest standing in mercantile transactions, that 
the moment we ar* prepared, he will efiLCt a 
conti'act to supply the British Government aith 
our hemp for the Navy, which currsumes equal 
to our N vy and our commercial enterprise, 
about 12,000 tons yearly. Also, the consump 
tion ot the port of London is SO, 000 tons year- 
ly, embracing the requirements of the Nav^y. 
I have also had the assurance, from a genile- 
nmn of high standing in commercial transac- 
tions in France, that from rhe character of our 
hemp, the moment the hemp is prepared, he 
will effect the supplying ot the French Navy 
with our staple. These countries are desirous 
to encourage us, that they may have two mar 
kets to flee to in case of any warlike disturb- 
ance, 
I have labored with great sacrifice of interest 
for these tour years, with the pleasmgand proud 
antifipatir.n to see the couniry independent ol 
this foreign staple, and that we tnay trecome 
heavy exporters; and the day is ri.o' tar distant, 
when these anticipations will be fully realized. 
Ah'l to lacilitaie this most important oijeci, 
I ave, bv the so.icitations of a number ot gen- 
tlemen, delegates trom the Wes', and others in 
power at this ciiy, consented to embark upon 
this arduous and hazardous undertaking, with 
the view ofsuppU'ing the Navy with Auierican 
Water’- Plotted Hemp, Ciom the V\ est, tor a term 
of years: I do assure you, gentlemen, that no 
|iecuniary inducement could liave influenced 
me to embark upon this work of enterprise 
again But something must be done to keep 
alive and finish this great work, which has been 
commenced, and is in progre>s to its ultimate 
accomplishment. 1 have K)st a large fortune in 
establishing the practicability of it, and have 
undergone great afflictions, in consequence ot 
which, 1 have fell I'elucianye to subject mysell 
to a second trial of rhe various circumstances 
which betel me, in effecting th,at Important ob- 
ject. Bui with a desire to prijuiote ike agricul- 
tural in! crest of the West, and to see mit enun- 
try speedily ind.ependinl of this forngn slopt-~, 
an I vvitii the confi lence I hav ' in y-ui, that you 
will support me in this aei of enter, rise, I now 
comeiorwarl once more -vith all my resources 
and energv, to give this subject additional im- 
petus, that will convince the world and the 
Russian Autocrat, that ttiis Republic can .stand 
tree and independen of his staple and fabrics, 
and can supply the c ^maieicial wo Id. To ac- 
complish this great work, 1 lean upon you, Ike 
farmers of Ike IFes', to rally to y aid, and give 
me your profnpe and en^^rgeiic co ojieraiion. 
And. to you, enterprising Ecsl'-rrs men, J invite 
you IF'S/i, to establish your ingenuiiy and en- 
terprise in machinery, for the manufactory of 
fa rics. Your iriteiest, far mers, vo'ur prosperi- 
ty, an I your dtu v as pamots, and as an example 
to the ri ing generation, iiemand your iironiut 
and undeviating atten ion to ihi-s imporiant siib- 
ject; in so doing, it acquires all, anrl will also 
be a blow struck at the foot ot the throne ol ttiat 
Autocrat, which may produce events that will 
in time give liberty to millionsi'l souls who are 
suffering under the most degraded bondage of 
slavery. The question no doubt will arise in 
vour mind. How is all this to be accomplished ? 
[ will answer briefly : Let every farmer take 
■bur acres of his best land, sow' it down in hemp, 
follow my instruciians laid before you, to the 
letter. If von have no water convenient, build 
plank vats, 25 feet by 14, and 2j deep; pump 
the water into the u when the hem;) is laid in. 
They require but a small quantity of water; 
two men can pump -luticitut watei m a pay, 
and the same water, with a small portion of ad- 
ditional fresh added to it, it necessary, will an- 
swer lor two or three rottings. This size vat 
will answer for a crop of25 or 30 acres, which 
is more than one tanner should undertake the 
first year Four acres oi good ordinarv hemp, 
judiciously rotted, proper ly cleaned, scuichel- 
ed hatcheled, and well prepared, will yield to 
the larmer a gain e'earof all expense, ofS’lSO, or 
more. What can be a greater encouiagerncnt 
in an agricultural pursuit than thisi In addi- 
tion to this, a steady market, with the assurance 
that if you protiuce a prime article, the highest 
cash price is ready for you, aceording to its 
q'lality, delivered at the various p -intsol Agen- 
cies. Those persons wishing to see me, can 
address me at St Louis, post paiii, {^no letter will 
be taken out of the office, unless post paid.') I 
will either wail upon them p rsunally, or an- 
swer them frona any State that feels a de- 
sire to embark in this enterprise I am can- 
did to itilorm those th ;t have never water-rotted, 
that there is more labor attending this operation 
than they imagine. But do not be discouraged ; 
experience and lime will overcome it, in a very 
great degree. With perseverance and indus- 
trious attention, not relying on the care and at- 
tention of your negroes and laborers, but by 
your own close attention, you will see great ad- 
vantages to be gained in the prosecution oi this 
business. I can w’ilh confidence and in truth 
say, thai with practical experience and perse- 
verance, they will be found worth all the theory 
and negroes in existence, in the saving ot labor, 
expense, and the quality of the article produced. 
They will overcome difficulties and objections 
which first present them.selves to you in its in- 
cipiency, which finally become obstacles ol mi- 
nor consideration. Therefore be not deterred 
when they are met. But persevere, and ac- 
quaint yourselves of the most practical and 
economical manner to exercise in the water- 
rotting process. My plans are laid before you ; 
practice them, and you will imuroveon ihemj 
piaciice makes perlect, and opens t'l you advan- 
tages that can be applied to great impruvemenis 
and ecomimy. But throw aside all ideas of 
humbuggery, such as steam and chemical pro- 
cess. 
Hemp for the Navy, must not be less than 
lour feet and a half in length, a clear staple, of 
proper and natural strength, preserved by judi- 
cious treatment, and ut a bright color; dark 
henip will not be received for that puipose. It 
will be received and appropriated for coiniiier- 
cia! enterprise, at a reduced pi iee. 
It is the desire, that the larmer wilt practice 
ihe mode of scutcticling to lelieve the hemp ol 
the herds, in the place ofajiplying it so o ten to 
the brake. It straightens out the staple, and 
produces much less tow, when applied to the 
hatchel Also that they should become fami- 
liar with hatchelingol hempgenerally. It adds 
greatly to the chaiacler ot the hemp, east and 
abroad. And to those that wish to purchase 
hatchels. they can be olitained at St. Louis lor 
S'5 I I SC; nr any ordinary blacksmith can make 
P em, provided they understand setting the leeih, 
(itg' ner&liy depend.s on this ) If the teeth are 
not properly set, it will split and derange the 
staple, and produce much low. All hemp de- 
livered Linhaicheled, will be received and paid 
for according to quality, it has been the prac- 
tice to use great deception in the preparation of 
this aiticle, by secreting the diawings and 
slieaves in the centre ot tlie hands. But it v' ill 
be useless to attempt this, as they a.r^stiieol be^ 
ing detected. 
'I’liereare four classe.s ol Russia Hemp; Ri- 
ga-Rliine, Clean St. Peteishiirgh, Hall clean, 
and Out-shot. And it is the intention of ihe un- 
dersigned, if emfiloyed by the Government, to 
cl ssily our hemp in like manner, and in that 
event the price paid will range up to $8 er li2 
lbs , deli vered at St L oii-, for that quality of 
hemp ttiat w'ill st nd the test the Governo ent 
requires. Atid that can be eflecti d and pro- 
duced bv judicious rotting, scuicheling, halch- 
elipg, apd proper length. That the hemp 
