The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-10
HEMP GROWING
IN WISCONSIN

The growing of hemp is being seri-
ously considered by many Wisconsin
farmers and the following article by
Andrew w. Hopkins agriculture editor
University of Wisconsin, is timely.
That experiments and experience are
both absolutely necessary before the
growing of hemp should be seriously
considered by any large number of
Wisconsin's farmers is the conclusion
reached by men familiar with the sta
tus of the crop at the present time.
Although hemp growing in Wiscon-
sin has assumed some economic i'm
portance in restricted areas, this years
estimates ranging in net profit from
$50 to 500 an acre, the ultimate sue
cess of the industry, depends upon
slow and cautious development.
Reasons why Wisconsin farmers
should hold their ardor in check for
hemp growing on large scale have
ben briefly outlined by A. H. Wright,
field crops investigator, College of Ag-
riculture, University of Wisconsin. Mr.,
Wright has spent much time studying
=
range, and has taken up the exper-
mental work with this fiber crop form
erly carried on in Wisconsin by r. A.
Moore and c. P. Norgord, now Com
missioner of Agriculture. In discuss
ing the subject he says:
There is no doubt that Wisconsin is
one Of the best states in the country
for hemp growing; that farmers have
actually netted more than 500 an acre
that the quality of the hemp produced
is on the whole superior in character.
However, in no case should farmers at
tempt to put in large acreage in 1917,
as the machinery for breaking the
stalks cannot be obtained.
I'VE must keep the hemp industry on
firm footing and for that reason we
need the cooperation of farmers to
prevent any unwholesome develop
ment through unwarranted agitation.
Hemp cannot be profitable pro-
duced in small areas on isolated farms
1t demands cooperative growing in
order to assure a sufficient acreage to
justify the Introduction Of suitable
machinery.
No one should plant hemp unless he
fully understands the methods Of cul-
tiyating and handling it.
Hemp can be grown with profit on
fertile soil. Light soil yields only a
fair or poor crop.
THE present high prices for hemp
are due to the war. This year long
fiber will sell for about Is cents a
pound. An average yield for Wiscon-
sin is 400 pounds of fibre an acre, and
the cost of production varies from $50
to $40 an acre. Losses are almost GER
tain, however, should too many farm
ers go into the business next season, as
there are but four hemp breaking out
fits available in the state, and they are
all within limited area.
These machines are of two kinds,
the stationary and portable. The Shelly
breaking machine is portable one OPP
Grated by power and is in charge of the
Rock River Hemp Mills, an association
OF growers near Waupun, who are
building a warehouse to store the
stalks, for breaking. John Huber, q
Kentuckian, has built hemp breaking
plant at Brandon, which includes ia
cilities for drying the stalks. Andres
& Corners have constructed breaker
and dryer near Brandon, and the
fourth plant is built at Markesan."
The collection of information re-
garding hemp breaking machinery and
the latest developments in the industry