The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-09
HEMP.
To The Editor Of The Union:

10 ne Ldifor OF the Uht0n
! noticed in the "Unon'' Of Wednesday evening,
IA communication from Mr.. Won Schmidt in rea-
ton 10 the different methods of rottng hemp. The
following article, descriptive Of Mr. Barlow's plan,
will show that the very method of rottng hemp sug-
gested by MIR. Won Schmidt, by which the original
strength Of the fibre is preserved has been discover
ed and patented by Thomas Fl. Barlow, esq, an
ingenious citizen of that State. His invention sup
plies great desderatum in the culture Of that i'm
portant and valuable staple, and will do much to
render our country independent Of all foreign sources
Of supply. b.
"Mr. Thomas FL. Barlow, of Lexington, Ky, has
patented his process for water-rotng hemp and flax
which is follows; The hemp to be stepped in
warm water from 81 to 100 degrees Of temperature,
until it is completely macerated. When brought to
this macerated condition, the temperature Of the
wuter is to he raised Immediately to or above the
boiling point by which means the further progress OF
putrelacton fermentation is stopped; and by con-
tinuing the boiling of the water for two hours,
a rapid and complete separation Of the gluten from
the fibre is effected.
The apparatus for preparing hemp in this way is
constructed us follows: Four watts to be construct.
ed large enough each 10 hold enough hemp to make
one thousand pounds when ready for market, which
will require about eight feet wide, FIVE feet deep,
and thirty feet long. -Four watts are recommend
ed because the rotting process is rapid enough to
day. The watts should be made strong and water
tight, and sunk into the earth like tanners watts.
The best or most convenient location for these watts
would generally be on the bank of stream Of wa
ter where dam could be constructed five feet high,
so as to fill the watts with the water from above the
dam and le, be discharged from the bottom of the
watts below the DAM or they may be filled and emp
tied in any way that is most convenient. At the
end of the watts may be placed boiler, after the
plan Of steam-engine boiler, from which pipe
will be extended 10 the watts; and from this main
pipe branch pipes will be extended through the in
tervals between the watts, from which smaller branch
pipes will extend over the edge of the watts down
the sides, extending to near the centre of the watts.
These smaller branch pipes should be placed at in
tcrvas Of about four feet, with stop-cock near the
main branch pipe so as to increase or diminish the
temperature of the water at pleasure These inter-
walls between the watts, through which the branch
pipes pass may be only wide enough to admit of
clay being rammed in between the watts. The other
intervals should be wide enough to admit of hand
cart to pass to fill and empty the watts of hemp.
In watts thus arranged place the hempstalks, tied IN
small bundles to the best advantage; then confne it
to its place with beams of timber properly arranged
the watts; then let in the water until the hemp
is immersed. The steam should be let in slowly,
not to cook the hemp the mouth of the
pipes before il is macerated. The temperature OF
the water should be increased until is from 80 to
100 degrees. Let the hemp maccrate at that TEN
perature until, when handled, it will feel slippery
and loose from the stock--which will occur, gener-
ally, at the end of thirty hours, but may require
longer time. While at that stage of the process,
let in the steam, SO to raise the temperature of
the water 10 The boiling point; and continue the
boiling for one or two hours, when the gluten will
be thrown off. Then draw off the water while hot;
and as soon as the hemp is cool enough take it out
and set il up in open shocks, or spread it on the
ground to dry. 1t may thus be exposed to the
weather for months without being injured. Ii will
only be bleached little by the rain. The operator
can shelter or break it at pleasure.