The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-04-28
WORCESTER:
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 90, 1880.

CULTURE OF HEMP. As many persons are
hemp, we have, for the benefit of such as desire
more information on the subject, made few sx-
tracts from LETTER from Judge Buei of Albany,
recently published in the Argus, of that city.
After speaking of the great demand for the ar
ticle, and of the quantity consumed in this
country, he continues =
Most of the States, from Tennessee to Maine,
already grow hemp; and in this State it is sue
cessfullv and proftably cultivated, and upon
most of the soils which yield profit in the or
binary productions of agriculture. This, like
other crops of the farm, pays best upon good
soil, and under careful culture. Well drained
reclaimed boys, or swamps, and deep river allu-
vions, Astounding in vegetable matter, are best
adapted to the growth of this invaluable plant,
as its strong system of roots penetrate these
freely, and find abundance of aliment to nourish
and mature the plant. It will do we'll on any
soil that will grow good fax. But it will not
repay for labor and expense upon lands either
poor, habitually wet, such as have not
been previously subjected to complete state
| of pulverizaton
We, in the first place, derive evidence that
the culture of hemp is profitable to the Ameri-
can farmer, from the acknowledged fact, that
the quantity annually grown among us has
greatly increased, and, probably, quadrupled,
within the last four years. Few have abandoned
| its culture, who commenced it under favorable
! circumstances while many are annually turn
ing their attention TO it. Men are not apt to
pursue business which does not pay them for
| their labor and expense.
In the next place we infer, that it is, or must
be, profitable.
| l. Because the price of foreign hemp is en-
HANGED in our markets, and the quantity conse-
quently diminished, by the high duties which
have been imposed by the tariff.
! 2. Because one-half of the ordinary expense
of cleaning, and preparing it for market, NAV
now be saved by the use of the newly invented
machines for separating the lint from the shives
And,
g. Because the progress of water-rotting
which is taking place of the old dew -rotting
method, increases the value of the article, and
renders American hemp equal in quality and
value to that of Russia or Piedmont.
Specimens of Russia and American water
rotted hemp have been submitted to various
and repeated experiments, particularly in oul
naval service, and the comparisons have result
cd in full conviction, that the latter is no wise
inferior to the former in strength or durability
Lastly, it might be amply demonstrated, by
the declarations of men of practical knowledge
that hemp is one of the most profitable CROP
That farmer can raise, whose grounds are
adapted to its growth, and where proper atten
ton IS paid to the management of the crop.
will quote but one individual at present, anc
that is respectable one, Mr. Samuel LathroI
of West Springfield, Mass
+ After stating that the principal labor required
Tor the hemp crop, is applied at seasons of mos
leisure on the farm; and that every considera
BILE farmer, who has suitable grounds, nigh
raise few acres without interfering with hi
ordinary course of husbandry, Mr. Lathrop thu
+ speaks of the products and profits:
The average crop is six to seven hundred
pounds the acre. / have raised nine or ten, bu
this was an unusual crop. The land was strons
and in very good filth. The hemp grew to
great height, and was very uniform Throughout
the piece The price of homp in market hal
varied, OF late years, from $40, to $3.50 pc
hundred. Scarce any crop of field culture car
be put upon the land, which will produce 81
great result.
It is not uncommon for the farmer to let ou
his land upon shares. In that case the usua
terms are, that the owner of the land prepares
: the ground, and furnishes one half the seed
The occupant furnishes the other half of tn,
seed, and performs all the labor after the sect
is narrowed in, and returns to the owner, one
hall OF the the hemp prepared for market. Ii
one instance | have received for the use of m,
land, more than forty five dollars an acre. cleaI
profit The moiety of the seed returned to me
was amply sufficient 20 pay my part of the sect
furnished, and the labor Of pre- paring the ground
The hemp grown in this neighborhood, wher
well dressed, commands the highest price of tn,
best Russian hemp, and is as readily purchased
by the manufacturers of cordage"