[ 132 ] 
than if the clover is suffered to rot in the field.— 
Late in the fall let the field be ploughed down to 
prepare for the hemp seed the next spring. This 
process will make an astonishing improvement in 
the soil. As a preparative for hemp, clover is 
found to be peculiarly effective, especially if it be 
so thick sown as to prevent the growth of other 
grass. Gypsum is used likewise by wetting and 
rolling the seed in it : And by sowing the gypsum 
on the hemp when a few inches out of the ground ; 
using about a bushel to an acre on common soil. 
Some hemp raisers use a rotation of the crops of 
hemp, wheat (or winter barley) and clover with two 
fields, putting in hemp two years surxessively ; 
while others have three fields, which gives them a 
hemp crop every year without raising it from the 
same field two years successively. 
I am, Sir, respectfully. 
Your humble servant, 
JAS. GEDDES. 
N. B. The passages marked with quotations, are 
from a letter written me by Willi m iVoDAMs, 
Esq. an intelligent friend of mine in Berks county^ 
Pennsylvania. 
