, 1842-01-08
AGRiCULTURAu.
From the Missouri Republican.
a. T HEMP.

we give oeloW j letter from MI. Myerle,
of Lexington, Ky, on the process of water
rotting Hemp, which we feel assured will be
highly acceptable to the farmers of Missouri
generally, and especially to those who are
or expect to be engaged in preparing the ar
tcle for market. Some weeks ago some of
our readers in the upper part of this State
desired information on this subject. Mr.. M.
has supplied it, for which he has not only our
thanks but the thanks of the growers. Mis-
souri,, owing to the fitness of her soil and the
adaptation of her climate, with other facilities
which are within the control of her farmers
for the growing and preparation of hemp,
is destined to be one of the largest hemp
growing States in the Union. Having the
soil, climate and labor, all that remains to be
acquired is a sufficient knowledge and ex-
perience in the mode of preparation, 10 en-
sure to the West the benefits to the whole
consumption created by American shipping,
and especially from the Government vessels.
If the West succeeds in producing the raw
material equal to the Russia hemp, it is not
unreasonable to expect, that in a short time
the Government will find it TO her interest to
establish, in the immediate vicinity of the
growers, a neutrality-suspicious. saving the
cost and risk of the shipping of the raw ma
terial to the East. 1t must be evident to ev-
cry one that the saving in shipping the man.
utactured article to the East, instead of the
raw material, would be very great; and the
inducement to the growth and improvement
IN the preparation would be greatly ~increas-
ed if manufactured in the immediate vicinity.
LEXINGTON, (ky.,) Nov. %, 1841.
Gentlemen-I noticed in your paper Of
the Goth inst, that you are DESTROYS to obtain
the necessary knowledge of the process of
water-rotting Of hemp. As | am under en-
gagemenls with the Government to promote
this object. feel it my duty, upon all occa-
sions, to give such information as may be
necessary to the promotion of this great ma
tional object.
The hemp, after being cut, should lay a
few days to wilt, but avoid getting it wet
it Injuries the color, and creates a loss in the
weight oflint, when it has undergone its mace
ration. No hemp less than five feet should
be water-rotted. 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 it.
sell: it produces a more regular rot. The
hemp should be pushed clearly iHto 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 Sep
TENDER, 5 to 6 darys, according TO the tenn.
perature of the weather-in October, 8 or
10; in November, IA to l6; and in Decem-
Der, from 8 to a weeks. To ascertain when
the hemp has undergone its solution: there is
Il roughness on the surface Of the bark. By
taking out a few stalks from various 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 if it gets two or three rains on
1t, it is the better; it washes off the gum
which is left on the surface. and causes it to
clean easier. When perfectly dry, throw
1t into shocks, or ricks, ready for breaking.
1t is necessary that that they should no, ap-
ply it too often to the brake; it requires
more shaking and produces less tow; clean.
ing the staple adds greatly to the appearance
of the article.
There are various forms of brakes, but
have been sufficiently tested to be
generally /; in this State farmers
confine themselves principally to the ordina-
~ brake. But, as am informed labor is
scarce in Missouri, | recommend a brake
If Mr.. Warmers, of this city, which, with
Xix hands and one horse, will clean 1000
pounds per day. Mr.. Pullen, of Clark coun-
y, has a break which, from his representa-.
ions oft to me, must be a great acquisition |.
o the hemp growers in Missouri. lhave not
cen the break, but the principle is a good