The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-16
From the Louisville Democrat, June H.
HEMP.

|periments made with hemp, the object of which was
10 show the quality Of the hemp of this region, com
pared with some specimens sent from the navy
yard at Boston. Hitherto the hemp used in our ma
IVY has been imported from Russia. Il has been
|reckoned that our hemp, from some cause or other
WAS not suitable for naval purposes As yet We
have had but few experiments TO test this matter
'but they are sufficient TO demonstrate that II the
Kentucky hemp is deficient in any respect, II is moi
lin the quality Of strength. These experiments vii
Ibe continued and varied, until no doubt can remain
Indeed, it is not possible that any subsequent exper
|iments will vary much the results already obtained
THE American water-retted hemp, and the Rhodiar
hemp, prepared for spinning into rope by a new
process invented by Mr.. James Anderson, of this
lefty, both indicate superiority in strength TO the
Riga Rlen Of 80 per cent. The comparison was
made between a specimen of the Riga, sent from the
|navy-yard, and common specimens of the common
Equality Of hemp of Kentucky growth How far the
|comparative strength of these specimens may be va
fried after Earring, we have no means yet Of deciding
with absolute certainty; but It is all proba-
possible, in fact-that the scale can be
turned in favor of the Russian hemp These results
|are of great importance to Kentucky, for hemp is
her great staple. The amount of this crop we can
increase almost indefinitely II is supposed by
1.-THE most competent Judges that our hemp crop las
year amounted to 10000 tons. This, at the COM
mon price at the navyyard would bring IS, 100 900
Although the consumption of hemp by the navy il
mot more, perhaps, than eight hundred or thou
sand tons, 1t constitutes no nconslderube item ~
|the market for hemp; and if our farmers can pro-
|duce as good an article the one imported, they
|are certainly entitled to preference in the market
1t is certainly in good taste to rig off the American
navy with American hemp, which can be made
|egual, if not superior, to any foreign article.
The difficulty has hitherto been that the hemp
agent In Kentucky has had no power to make pur-
chases absolutely. He could only inspect the hemp
land give his advice to the proprety of sending
lon lot oft, which came under his inspection, to
1.-THE navy-yard in Charleston, Massachusetts; where
lf j, passed inspection, it would be received by the
government at a better price than the owner could
lget at home. In one instance lot of hemp was
sent to Charleston according to the direction of the
Iagent in Kentucky. II was rejected at the navy
|yard sold to merchant in Boston, and afterwards
1sold to the government, and used in the navy.
1t is the interest and the duty of the government,
Ito purchase the hemp where il is produced. There
Jean be no reason why the quality of the hemp can
mot be as well tested in Kentucky, where it is
grown, as il can be in Charestown. The govern
lment could get the necessary quantity of hemp
cheaper, and the farmer would get better price for
ibis products 1t is evident that the producer OF
hemp is entitled to the profit on superior article Of
hemp, and not the Spectator, through whose hands
lit must pass according TO present arrangements, if
III ever reaches the nayy-yard. Let it be known
that the agent Of The government in Louisville has
authority to purchase the hemp for the navy; let the
producer of hemp know that he has market al
home, and if any improvements are still wanted in
THE quality of our hemp, they will be made, we have
mo doubt, much to the advantage of the farmer and
1.-THE government too. We are glad to find that we
have now an agent whose experience Of the growth
land manufacture of this staple of our State, and
whose zeal for the farming interests of Kentucky
will insure presentation of this subject to the prop
Ter authorities, with all the facts and reasons II
the case, which will not fail to produce their effect
The officers of the government, we are assured
Iare inclined TO do what Is rght but il has beer
fashionable to purchase Russia hemp; and 1t vii
lrequire effort TO break off an old habit, however
absurd and preposerous it may be. The hemp.
growers will of course lend their aid In what so i'm
medately their own interest," that by tn,
time the next hemp crop is ready fof market, Mr.
Saunders may be authorised to purchase hemp fol
1.-THE navy in Louisville. What we have said of the
purchase of hempis equally applicable to other ar
ucles wanted for the army and navy Why should
THE government have agents only on the Atlantic
isea board, to purchase -four bacon, lard &C., The
West has greater surplus of these articles than any
lother part of the Union. The west, in fact, mus
4 furnish them. Why then should not the agents Of
THE government purchase them directly of the farm
3ers of the west and save the profits Of the specula
tor, or let the agricuurist enjoy them This propo
3sition is so reasonable that we are certain il canno
Hong be overlooked. This is the only way in which
The farmer pays his full share Of the annual reven
ue and it little as the government do to af
ford him as ample market al possible, especially
when il is obviously the interest. of the govern
ment TO do so. The expedient of having the marke
where the article is produced is simple and advanta
geous to all parties concerned. We hope then, tina
the government will purchase hereafter in the Yves
what the West produces in abundance. The Yves
was once Of little conseguence-wanted but littl,
consideration of this kind but that day is past and
the fashion Of negecting us in these matters nigh
as well change The pioneer found it necessary tc
balance his peck Of corn with stone in one end Of
his mill bag; and is said have continued the prac
Ice, from sheer habit, long after he had not bags
enough to contain his corn. We hope Uncle San
will not follow his illus,rious example, and continue
to appoint agents to purchase articles thousand
miles from the region in which they produced il
greatest abundance, merely because he has been in
| the habit of so doing.