Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-06-03

l
HEMP in ~ York is worth from Ia to IL cts per ID.
and pork 3. am confident that a pound Of Hemp
can he produced in Iowa, as cheap pound OF
pork Respectfully, yours, F.
CULTURE OF HEMP.
The vast quantities of hemp consumed in
this country for cotton bagging. cordage and
the use Of the navy, are rendering the produce
ton Of the article annually Of more consequence,
particularly as the greater part is exported from
| Russia; and SO far, we are rendered tributary
| 10 foreign power for an article which we are
abundan,ly able to produce ourselves. At pre-.
sent, the quality of the imported hemp is superb
or in some respects 10 the American; but ex-
perience in its culture and preparation will do
away this difference, and render the home arti-
Gle equal to the b,st grown abroad. We were
expecting paper from Judge Beatty Of Ken
lucky on the culture Of hemp. but We regret to
learn from him that circumstances beyond his
control have prevented the preparation of such
an article, and he has referred US TO his cele-
braled prize essay on the growth and prepare
ton of hemp, which has been forwarded and
received, as full account of the manner which
has proved most successful in Kentucky. From
that, and other sources, we shall now collect
cessary to those who propose attempting the
hemp culture.
SrED.-One Of the most essential things in
the growth of this crop is supply Of pure and
good seed and to be perfectly certain on this
point, every farmer will find it to his advantage
to grow his own. Hemp seeds, like all those
containing oil, are very apt TO heat and become
unfit for seed il kept over one or two years,
and can scarcely be preserved in state fit for
vegetation Unless spread on floor Il frequent
ly stirred during the summer mooihs. The
IS to be- sown tie eG next. Judge B. recommends
The richest ground for raising hemp seed. High
ly rnanured land is better than newly cleared
land and old meadows, or land used a long
time for pasture, is good for this purpose.
Where turf land is used, it should be plowed
| in the fall, and if not rich, drssing Of manure
should be given. The ground must be finely
! puverized by blowing and narrowing, and
! then The seed may be planted in hills, Oh sown
| in drills. The first method is generally prefer
red, as the after culture, cleaning the ground,
&C., is more easily performed when the seed
hemp is in hills than when it is in drills, and
the seed is thought to be more perfect. Iii
| common to plant the hills five feet apart, 10
| suffer four or five stalks 10 stand in hill TILL
the blossom hemp is removed, and then TO re-
duce the number Of stalks to two in each hill.
There are other methods Of planting; but the
great object is room for vigorous seed plant;
and whatever plan accomplishes this, will sue
coed. The ground must be kept clean by hoe
ines or plowings. In order 10 give the seed
bearing plants room 10 expand and perfect heif
seed, il is necessary to cut out the blossom or
male hemp; but This cutting cut must not be
performed too early or too rigidiy, as the pol
len Of these blossoms are necessary to the per.
fiction of seed. Judge b. recommends that as
soon as the seed hemp has so far advanced
that the blossom hemp can be readily dlslln
guished, il should all be cut GU, except one
stalk in every other hill and every other row
This will secure sufficient supply Of polleE
to fertlize all the seed bearing plant, and rem
der the seed certain Of vegetation. After these
male or blossom plants have discharged thei
tertilzng dust, they also may be removed
though this is not essential, where only one o,
two seed bearing plants are left in each hill
The seed for plants, from which seed is to be
grown, should be sown as early as is consis
ten, with safety to the young plants from frost
In kentucky the mouth Of April is preferred
in our attitudes the planting must be later. Plan
ted early, it will be fit to gather for seed IL
September and in cutting The plants, they mus
be handled or shaken as little as possible, a;
the seeds drop easily. Tn. plants may bt
carefully set up in shocks until dry enough Il
thresh easily, which may be done on tgh
floor. either by striking the plants on plank
or by beating with fail. The first methot
gives the best seed. When threshed, the seet
should be cleared at once, and then spread GU
in some safe, dry shelter until thoroughly dry
when it may be put in barrels with open head
or in bags until wanted. Rats and mice ar
very fond Of hemp seed, and these must Away
be guarded against. Judge beatty says-"Olt
seed will not generally answer for sowing
During the summer succeeding the year il
which il was reared. it goes through hea
which destroys its vegetaiing powers. II
however, il were te be spread out thin on d.,
floor before the commencement of hot weailer,
and kept thus spread out during the sumner
there can be no doubt it would answer for saw
ing the ensuing year. But il Is always saes'
not to trust to old seed, without having Hs'
tested it by planting certain number Of seas,
ard thus ascer,ainiDg how many will vTe-
tate"
PREPARATION OF THE GRoUND.-Therear are
few crops grown tina, require SO complies q
tillage and pulverization OF the ground as heap.
I 1t must be as thoroughly redu:ed, and mde
e. Il -I~>v~ 49, - JAs onAH rNH AA