Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/488

456] bundles, laid both directly, and across, thus,

for four or five days, according to the fineness of the weather. The next operation is that of reeding, namely, the separation of the bark from the reed, or woody part, which is effected either by pulling out the reed with the hand, or by drying, and breaking it by machinery, like flax. The hemp is then cleared of its mucilaginous matter, by pouring water through it, and squeezing out the liquid after every affusion, till it be completely divested of those particles.

The next operation is that of breaking it, which, in the county of Suffolk, is performed with the aid of certain machinery worked by the hand; when the hemp is beaten in mills; combed or dressed by drawing it through heckles, similar to the combs of wool-manufacturers; and spun into thread, whence it is made into twine, cordage, cloth, netting, &c.

Beside the strong cloth, and other articles made from it, hemp is of considerable utility for other purposes. The refuse, called hemp-sheaves, affords an excellent fuel; and the seeds yield by expression a pure oil, which is peculiarly adapted for burning in chambers, as it is perfectly limpid, and possesses no smell. Another valuable property of hemp is, that it effectually expels vermin from plantations of cabbages; for, if it be sown on the borders of fields, &c. planted with that vegetable, no caterpillars will infest it.

When fresh, hemp has a strong, narcotic smell: the water in which it has been soaked, is said to be in a high degree poisonous, and to produce fatal effects, immediately after drinking it. The seeds have an unctuous, sweetish taste; they may be triturated with water, or boiled in milk as an emulsion, which is occasionally taken as a domestic remedy in coughs, heat of urine, and similar complaints.

The important uses of hemp, and the superiority of that produced in this country, have justly rendered it an object of attention to Government. Accordingly, in the year 1783 a bounty of 3d. per stone was granted on all hemp raised in Britain, in order to encourage its growth: and, with the same patriotic view, heavy duties are imposed on that article, when imported from foreign countries. On the other hand, its exportation, both from Britain and Ireland, is duty-free.—The prices of hemp-linen, vary from one to six shillings and upwards per yard, in proportion to its coarser or finer texture.

There is another species of hemp, called Chinese Hemp (Crotolaria juncea), which was introduced into England from India, in the year 1783, when various experiments were made with little success; though they fully proved that the plant will perfectly succeed in this climate. The most remarkable of the statements which have been published, is that communicated by the Rev. Dr., of Northwald, near Brandon, Suffolk; on whom the "Society for the Encouragement of Arts," &c. in 1788, conferred the silver medal. This gen-