, 1842-05-28
TVOL. I.-NO. 3O.1

are WI methods of rotting hemp.
One, by spreading it on the ground,
where it is exposed to rains and dews
until the lint separates from the
stem; n process called dew rotting.
The other is sleeping the hemp in
watts or pools of waiter until the same
effect of the separation of lint is pro-
duced. These processes are con-
Quoted on the same principles, and for
the same cnds, as the flax rotting,
with which every farmer is acquaint-
ed. Grass ground. clean pastures or
meadows, have generally been chos-
en- for spreading hemp, where dew
rotting is practised; but some Of the
most uccessiulhemp raisers Of the w.
and among these Judge B., now pre-
fer spreading the hemp for rotting on
the same land that produced the crop.
The reasons assigned for this prefer
ence are, the labor of hauling the
hemp is prveuted, the ricks being
on the ground the manure arising
from the leaves, &C., is saved, as it is
kept on the ground-the hemp rots
quicker and more evenly than on
grass land; the ground is II free from
stock, and is benefited by being COW
cred with the rotting hemp; and last
", grass lands are injured by rotting
hemp upon them. The following d.
rections for water rotting are from
the report of Mr.. Allen, made to the
Institute: "Vats are prepared near
the mills of about six feet deep and
eight feet wide; the length to be vari-
ed at pleasure, or the quantity to be
rotted. The bundles of hemp are
then to be carefully laid in length
wise until the vat is full, and pressed
down with any sufficient weight to
keep it solid. Water is then to be
let in on the top until the vat is filed,
and is to remain for two days TO satu-
rate the mass, after which it is to be
drawn off, and a supply of running
water to be introduced until the vat
is filled, which is to run off continu-
ally until the hemp is properly rot
ted. The time will depend on the
temperature of the water, and will
be from six TO twenty days; tins wa
ter, is then let off, and after about
eight hours the hemp is to be taken
out and set up on the butts in the
field, after opening the bundles, a.
gainst 4 fence, or ropes running
through stakes fastened in the ground
for that purpose. When perfectly
dry, it is bound up and taken to dry
house where it is to be kiln dried for
about two days, from which it is to
be taken to the mills for breaking and
DRESSING" We believe that Euro
pean or Russian hemp is invariably
water rotted, which gives the fibre a
greater degree of uniformity than
dew roiting can do, and unquestiona-
bly, is one cause of the superiority of
the foreign article. In Russia, the
hemp is rotted in pools formed in
slightly running brooks, the water of
which is exposed to the sun. and ac-
quires a temperature favorable TO a
speedy fermentation and rotting Of
the stem of the hemp. Whether in
pools or watts, the hemp must be
wholly covered with water, but it
should not be SO loaded with weights
as to press it closely upon the bot
tom. There is little difficulty in
knowing when the hemp is sufficient
~ rotted. Judge B. says that when
this separation is sufficiently advanced,
"the stalks of the hemp lose that hard,
sticky appearance or feel they retain
till the process is completed. The
lint also begins to separate from the
stalk, and the fbres will show them
selves somewhat like the strings of
a fiddle bow, attached to the stalk at
two distant points, and separate in the
middle. This a certain indication
that the hemp has a good rot"
Hemp Is fitted for market by sepa-
rating the lint from the woody fibre,
and its value is in no inconsiderable
degree depending on this process of
dressing. 1t is sometimes prepared
by hand in the same name as flax;
but this is q slow aud tedious opera
ton, although the quality of the arti-
Gle is usually good. Various machines
for breaking and cleaning hemp have
been put in.operation in different parts
of the country. and have materially
lessened the labor of preparing this
crop for market. Which is the best
or most approved, we have no ean
of determining. Further attention
we doubt not will still more improve
the process Of hemp culture, and re-
move many of the obstacles which
are at present in the way OF produ-
cling a perfect article. When we re-
member that the naval and CONNER
=: --- e A. Hated Stot1c -