250 HOPS. 
In the preparation of hemp for the manufacturer two 
modes are pursued. One of these is to spread it out on 
stubble or pasture ground, that the fibrous parts may 
be rendered separable by the gradual operation of the 
weather ; the other is to immerse the bundles, for some 
days, in stagnant water. The next process consists in 
separating the bark, or hemp, from the stalks : this 
is effected either by pulling out the stalk with the 
hand, or by machinery similar to that adopted in the 
preparation of flax (97). After some other operations 
the hemp is beaten in mills, and then combed or dressed 
by drawing it through instruments called hackles 9 which 
are somewhat similar to the combs of wool-manufac- 
turers. 
Thus prepared, the hemp is spun into thread, which 
is made into twine, ropes, and cordage of every de- 
scription ; and woven into canvas, and strong cloth of 
various kinds. Indeed so great is the importance of 
this production, particularly for the cordage, cables, 
and the rigging of ships, that, to encourage its growth, 
an act of parliament was passed in 1783, directing a 
bounty of three pence per stone to be paid on all hemp 
raised in Great Britain ; and imposing heavy duties on 
hemp imported from foreign countries. 
From hemp-seed a valuable kind of oil is procured, by 
pressure, which is peculiarly adapted for burning, as it 
is perfectly limpid and without smell : it is also used 
for making the soap called green soap. The seeds 
themselves are sometimes employed in the feeding of 
poultry, from a notion that they cause the hens to lay 
a greater number of eggs than they otherwise would 
do. They are also given as food to singing birds; but, 
if in great quantity, they are supposed to injure the 
plumage. The stalks, after the hemp is taken from, 
them, afford an excellent fuel. The water in which 
hemp has been soaked is in a high degree poisonous. 
260. HOPS are the dried flower-buds of a climbing British 
plant (Humulus lupulus, Fig. 81), with a rough and angular 
