Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-12-11
WATER ROTTING HEMP.

We find the following very interesting
letter on this subject in the st. Louis Re-
publican of the Sd inst. 1t contains much
valuable information on the subject, which
we are sure will be interesting to our
Hemp growers If Hemp grown in our
own country is preferable to foreign ar
ticle, and commands better price than
any thing else our farmers can produce,
they are surely working against themselves
by not Immediately beginning the culture
of it. The soil of Missouri is said to be
well adapted to its growth, land to what
is it not y and there need be no fear that
too many will begin it-for the demand
for our own country is large, and when
it is found we produce better article than
any other cline, we will find a sale for il
in foreign markets:
LEXINGTON, (Kr.,) Nov. 26, 1871.
Gentlemem-l noticed in your paper Of the
10Th inst, that you are DESTROYS to obtain the
necessary knowledge of the process Of wa,er.rot.
ting Of hemp. As am under engagements with
the Government to promote this object feel it
my duty, upon all occasions, to give such infor.
nation as may be necessary 10 the promotion OF
this great national object.
The hemp, after being cut, should lay few
days to wilt, but avoid getting it wet-it Injuries
the color, and creates a loss in the weight Of
lint, when it has undergone its maceration. Ne
hemp less than five feet should DO water.rottsd.
When wilted it should be Immediately placed
in stacks near the pools, or in the field When
the farmer is prepared to water-rot, he should
assert his hemp and place each size Of hemp,
in the pools, by itself it produces more regular
rot. The hemp should be pushed clearly int
the pool and weighed down with rock, or timber.
by laying plank on the points and butts. and
the rock or timber on it, 1t requires, in Septem-
Der, 5 to days, according to the temperature Of
the weaher--in October, s to 10; in November,
IA to lG and in December. from 3 to weeks
To ascertain when the hemp has undergone its
solution: there is roughness on the surface of
the bark. By taking out few stalks from va.
rious bundles, it will be found that the roughness
has left it, and it will be smooth to the hand.
1t must be taken out Immediately and spread thin
on the ground; and when it drys on one side.
turn it over Ifit gets two or three rains on it.
it is the better; it washes off the gum which 10
left on the surface, and causes it to clean easier.
When perfectly dry, throw it into the shocks. or
ricks, ready for breaking. tits necessary that
they should not apply it too often to the brake;
il requires more shaking and produces less tow;
cleaning the staple adds greatly to the appearance
S of the article.
-; There are various forms Of brakes, bu. mems
have been sufficiently tested to be adopted gen.
eraly in this State the farmers conhne them.
q selves principally TO the ordinary brake But,
). as | am informed labor is scarce in Missouri,
d recommend brake Of Mr.. Warmers, Of this
y city, which, with six hands and one horse, will
: clean 5000 pounds per day. Mr.. Pullen, OF
. Clark county, has brake which from his repre-.
:, sensations Of it to me, must be great acquisl-
e ton to the hemp growers in Missouri. have
n not seen the brake, but the principle is good
a one.
The pools for watsr.rotling, are formed in spring
: branches, dug down to the lime ston rock, with
= small 1ood.ga at each end; or, can be con.
# structed to waetrot in large streams by for m
Y ing RATS, with two poles or sapngs, say 20 or
30 feet long, bars at each end, feet apart.
It end uprghts at each end sunk to whatever depth
d the water may be. The hemp is loaded on these
- RATS and sunk, as ! observed above. There
&c are fifty or more farmers water.rotting hemp or
!. me in this State. Their modes are various;
ii some have built plank vats have also con.
T. tract with Mr.. Estel, OF Missouri, 10 deliver m,
n 200 tons, which perceive he is preparing. Ne
: hemp less than five feet will be received by tn,
y Government it must be we'll cleaned and bun
|, died, otherwise it will be rejected | anticipate
\. being in Missouri as early as receive instrue-
ID tons from the Secretary Of the Navy. which
lie am looking for daily. My intention is to give
l. the State Of Missouri every encouragement 4
l. prosecute this business diligently, and to grea
extent. 1900 tons, OF waler-rotled hemp, cs
- find good market at not less Than S8 for II:
re lbs, delivered at some point on the river. 70
steam boats 10 take it.
Il bshooves the farming interest 10 turn the