, 1842-05-28
From the NeW GcneSee Farmer.
Culture of HeEMD.


Culture of Hemp.
TIME FOR CUTrING.-According to
Judge B., 'the time for cutting or
pulling hemp is Indicated by the leaves
of the male hemp becoming yellow,
and most of them falling off. Upon
a close examination about this period,
it Will be found that some Of the bios
som stalks will have entirely she'd
their leaves, and begin 10 turn of n
dark color, having lost their yellow
hue. When this discovery is made.
no time should be lost in cutting or
pulling the hemp. But it may stand
a week longer without any meterial
injury, except that the blossom hemp
will not take SO good a rot, and will
be some what worse to break" Thus
in kentucky, and we believe gener-
ally in this country, the blossoming
and the seed bearing plants, or the
males and females as they are some
times termed, are all gathered at the
same time. A different practice pre-
walls in the hemp countries OF Ed
rope. There. the male or blossom
plants are pulled as soon as the leaves
and stalks are yellow and the flowers
faded, while the fsfhalcs or seed bear
ing plants are allowed 10 stand some
five weeks longer, thus making two
hemp h~arvests. The two kinds are
kept separate, and first pulled is usu
ally the first rotted and fitted for use.
Whether this difference in the time
of pulling may not produce a greater
uniformity in the quality of each kind,
and increase the value Of the whole,
we cannot say; but it appears prob
able such would be the result. In
Europe, the practice is TO pull the
hemp; IN this country, cutting it with
the hemp cradle, ian implement like
the grain cradle. except that the
scythe, fingers, &C.. are stronger and
shorter.) is generally preferred. If
the ground Is made smooth at the
time of sowing, very little lint will
be lost, as the hemp will be cut close
to the ground. Beside, the crop in
handling will DO much cleaner. and
cutting is vastly more expeditions
than pulling, which enables the hemp
grower with the same number ofhands
to greatly increase his crop, without
danger Of its suffering for want of
cutting or pulling.
CuRING THE HEMr.-On this point
Judge L. remarks-"When hemp is
cut or pulled, it should be spread on
the ground, keepingthe but ends even,
and should be suffered to lie till well
cured; this will require a week or
somewhat less. if the weather is clear
and warm. l' it get a rain in the
mean time it will be an advantage, as
it will cause the leaves more readily
10 leave the stalk" Mr.. Allen, who
was extensively engaged in the hemp
culture in Lewis county. IN this state,
aud who in 1882 received 4 premium
from the American Institute for The
b ST specimen of hemp exhibited, says
--"The hemp when cut is to remain
in the swatil one day, and then is to
be turned and remain one day. and
on the third day TO be bound neal the
butt in very small bundles with a
small band of the hemp. Then to be
set up on the butts in shocks Until it
becomes perfectly dry" When tho
roughly dried, 1t may be pat in ricks
or stacks to remain till wanted for
roiting. At the West, ricks are pre-
ferred, because in this way Of putting
up the hemp it is all secured against
weather with the exception of the
roof, (f this is formed of hcmp) while
in stacking, a portion OF the hemp will
always be more or less exposed.
Some hemp growers, after the hemp
is cured, set it up in large shocks in
the f>ld, the tops secured by close
bands, and the butts resting on the
ground. If hemp stands long in this
manner it is eveident the butts must
be partially rotted. and ever the out
sides of the shocks will be more OF
less damaged. These parts Of the
hemp when spread out for rotting, OF
when put in the watts, will be spoiled
before the protected parts are suffi'