The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-04

THE PREPARING OF wATER-RoTTED HEMP FOR
NAVAL PURPOSES.
The male hemp should be cut as early as the
pollen begins fall; the female early the leaves
commence changing their color. Hemp left stand
ing until the seed natures, destroys the lint by the
essential oil passing it, and the extraction of the
oil through the effects Of the atmosphere The es-
sential oil preserves its original elasticity, and acts
desideratum to the application of the heated tar
for manufacturing. When the hemp is cut, it should
be dried without receiving the dews rains, which
discoors the lint and should be tied in small bundles
with their tops cut off as far the seed end When
dried, it should be thrown under cover ready for
rotting. Hemp, water-rotted in temperature Of 40
to As degrees, produces the strongest and heaviest
lint; rapid process, by heated water or steam,
chemical process, produces harshness and weak.
in the staple by the extracting of the essential
oil, and the heated water operating the lint. As
evidence of this fact, it has been fully ascertained
by experience, that hemp, watered in the month of
August is much lighter in weight and of less strength
than that watered in November, owing to the differ
ence of the atmosphere; which fully demonstrates
that rapid process is injurious. In binding their
hemp, and watering, they should be particular in
asserting it, and keeping each size to itself--the
large hemp watered by itself, as this undergoes a
more rapid process in its solution, owing to its
having larger orfce in the stalk. When rotted, it
should be perfectly dried, and thrown under shelter
ready for breaking. In breaking, they should be
particular in having each length Of hemp by itself,
and in small bands not exceeding twenty-five stalks
which avoids producing tow, and iniuring the
staple; but when broke in large bands, portion of
the hemp, by the frequent application of the break is
beaten into tow to get the heads from it; and when
mixed, short and long, in hatchelling the short
hemp it is drawn into tow also By adhering to those
instructions, there will be no difficulty in produce
ing an article superior to Russian. There are three
grades of hemp in the Russian and the same are in
ours, but Its growth Is superor and all requires
IS proper attention to It's proportion to retain its
original superiority to Russia for manufacturing
purposes. Hemp thrown into stacks, and remaining
so until it becomes heated, and undergoes a sweat,
and then passed through the process of dew-rotng,
will not answer for naval purposes. When manufac-
tured into cordage, and exposed to service, the
gluten which remains in the lint becomes decom-
posed and destroys the lint but when waer-rotted it
produces very soft article, and susceptible of
ufacturng purposes for linen fabrics, such table
linen, &c.
Hemp prepared by the break, without being
rotted by water, or the dew, is perfect waste Of
vegetable production, and should not be put in use
for cordage In its manufactured state il is much
stronger than Russia or American hemp water-rotted
or dew roted. This arises from the gluten left in
the lint | made an experiment in Philadelphia of
article prepared in this manner Ii was Of hand
some yellow color, and much stronger than Russia
had the yarns mixed with Russia in cordage and
had II put IN service on board of vessels In less
than three months the American hemp was COM
pletely decomposed, and the Russia yarns perfect.
with the exceptions of the injury they had received
on the surface of the rope from service. Hemp of
the above description, made into cordage, is dam
gerous to the lives of seamen. II will break with
out giving warning, in consequence of the gluten
having decomposed the fibre or lint when arred and
thrown into a compact body.
'USrrrD STATES Ropr walk, April 8, Is44
ASIA, Through your politeness received on the I'd In
sant copy Of your circular to the hemprowers of the
western country giving them general and what should
think very accurate directions for growing and preparing
hemp Your remarks the drying OF hemp in the shade
that the essential oil may be retained conceive TO be Of
the utmost Importance for since hemp vegetable