Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-21
LIBERTY, Mo-, Dec. %, ls49.
To The Editor of the Lexington cypress:

Dear Sir--ln accordance with the feel
ings which first prompted me to introduce
the process Of water-rotting hemp. in Ken
lucky, for the use Of the Navy and its com.
merciai enterprise, beg leave to lay before
the farmers OF Lafayette, Saline, Ray, &C.,
the following remarks through your valua
bic columns.
BY the solicitation OF many persons Of
this State, have been induced 10 visit them
and impart to them the knowledge of which
am possessed, in water-rotting.
left my manufacturing interest, prompt
ed by a zeal TO promote the interest Of the
country generally, that every facility should
be given the farmer TO enable hun 10 oper-
ate to advantage, and produce good arti-
Gle. regret that my time was so limited
that could not visit Lafay cite, Saline, &c.
But as far as have examined in the coun
ties Of Clay, Platte, &C.. pronounce the
staple Of the hemp superior to the Russian
san pies. But the want of experience, an
over desire to produce a large quantity, the
want of proper preparations in watts, and
careessness in handling, has produced, gen.
orally, an inferior article great proper
ton of i, damaged and very much below
the most common Russian hemp, will bring
it under the class OF rejected hemp, which
regret sincerely, as have great desire
TO see this material object prosper.
AS have been a manufacturer east oil
this, Phiiadelpha, quite extensively in the
Russian hemp, for the use of the Navy,
feel mysely competent to Judge and advise.
and as my operations in Kentucky in lS40
and al were extensive, feel myself capa
bic Of giving instruction to the advantage
of the hemp-growers. There are three quail
ties OF hemp in Russia. The same differen
ces are in our production, and they should
be separated. The qualities run thus: clean,
half clean and out-Shot. 10 addition, Out
hemp hasone other quality; the hemp now
rot,ed and damaged, great proportion Of
il arising from the causes above mentioned.
To obviate this, another season, let the
farmer bundle his hemp, each size to itself;
cut off the tops and tie two bands TO each
bundle, first placing small stick in the cen
tire, 10 strengthen the hemp when rotted:
prepare permanent watts, and ill them with
one size Of the hemp, as the large undergoes
the rotting much sooner than the small. In
mixing the large and small together it pro-
duces AN irregular rot. The large will be
too much done, or the small not enough.
This, in a proportionate degree, has been
the cause of the production of so much
damaged and inferior water-rotted hemp.
When rotted it should be spread thin on
the ground, until it is perfectly dry, and fire..
quently turned before IT is taken up for
shocking or stacking. When breaking the
operator should take small handfulls. And
in breaking, do not beat the outside of the
hand into tow, or distress the staple, which
is frequently done to get shoves out, which
NAV be in The middle of the handful. Sha.
king is more preferable.
AS feel desire that the farmer should
have every encouragement to proceed mex,
season. my intention is, if am not prevent
ed by unavoidable circumstances, to visit
the hemp-growing counties, ia the spring.
and examine the watered hemp and pur
chase it at fair value, and agreeable to
the quality, the hemp TO be delivered at the
nearest landing, and payment TO be made
when delivered.
To those that have watered hemp on
hand, would say, do not De too hasty in
making sales, and make sacrifices. | shall
feel it to my interest and pleasure to find a
market for their hemp, which will compen-
safe them in psrt, for their enterprise the
present season, and the next, no doubt,
they will secure ample rewards for their la
Dor.
In submitting this subject, | am prompt
cd by those motives only, which have gov.
erned my actions from the first. in embark
ing in this en!erprize. and they are to pro-
mote our own agricultural interests and
prosperity, to the prejudice of foreigners,
and make our country independent OF this
foreign staple.
am, sir. very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
DAVID MYERLE.