Ä Area: FidoNet - Marijuana Chat ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Msg#: 1689 Date: 06-09-93 22:25 From: Northcoast OH NORML Read: Yes Replied: No To: All Mark: Subj: Fairbanks Comp. #5 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ [...continued from previous posting] Letter from GEN. BARNUM to the Editor of the Vermont Aurora: SIR.-- Having recently received a great number of communications on the subject of the culture of Hemp, I am induced to ask through the medium of your paper the privilege of a reply to the whole of them, which will save all parties some trouble, at least. I do not wish it to be supposed, however, that I consider the communications burthensome: quite otherwise. I am pleased with their enquiries, happy to add their names to the list of my correspondents, and only regret my want of knowledge and experience to give them all the information required. Before I attempt to reply to their different enquiries, it is proper to say that when I embarked in the business, I commenced wrong and continued in error until it was too late to prevent the damage sustained in the last year's crop, for want of proper information. Bad as it was, it proved better than any other crop upon my farm. With respect to Soil. -- Intervale land or that covered with vegetable mould, called black muck, is generally considered best: in a warm and moderately wet season, it is so; but by no means ought to be considered the only land suitable for its growth. In fact, any land in our climate that will bear a good crop of flax, corn or potatoes, will produce a good crop of hemp. Preparation for Sowing.-- Where green sward is intended, I consider it preferable on most soils, particularly clay, to have it ploughed in the fall. Previous to sowing, the soil should be harrowed thoroughly in the Spring, when the surface is dry; and if not quite smooth, it will be much improved by passing a roller over it -- (a machine which ought to be more generally used for many farming purposes.) Other lands may be ploughed in the Spring, and the oftener the better: in no instance should the operation of sowing be performed until the land is thoroughly pulverized by the plough and harrow. Flat and low lands ought to be laid in ridges of from five to seven feet in width for this, as well as all other crops. On loam or sandy soils, it will be found advantageous occasionally to run furrows from the upper to the lower side of your fields, to permit the water in case of heavy rains or wet seasons to pass off freely. Hemp, in our climate, is a healthy, hardy plant, and yields to no enemy except water and frost. It effectually subdues the grub and wire worm, the thistle and every noxious weed, and leaves the land light and in fine condition for any succeeding crop. Time for Sowing and Planting.-- In this particular, it is a most accommodating crop. In our climate, any time from the 1st of May to the 24th of June may be considered good season: all things being right, I should prefer sowing between the 5th of May and the 10th of June.-- Last season, some crops were sown as late as the 10th of July, after a crop of flax had been taken from the land, and these crops were good. It must be recollected, however, that the last season was unusually favorable for late sowed crops. The success of these experiments ought not to induce us to imitate this hazardous example. It is true, we are promised a seed time and a harvest, but it is equally true that the promise does not include all seasons of the year; and such as calculate to benefit themselves by this good promise, ought to remember there is an implied condition which admonishes us that we have something to do ourselves to insure its benefits. Quantity of Seed.-- Two bushels I consider the proper quantity to be sowed upon an acre of good land (and none other ought ever to be sowed with hemp.) The prevalent idea of a hemp crop's impoverishing land more than any other of equal growth, requiring nourishment from the earth and atmosphere, is altogether ridiculous. Where green sward is intended, three crops are sowed in succession: the second, usually best, and the third about equal to the first. A regular rotation of crops in good husbandry is desirable, where circumstances will permit; but not absolutely requisite, as is often contended. Time and Manner of Harvesting.-- As long as hemp seed maintains its present price, I consider the most profitable time to cut or pull it is when about half of the seed has attained its full size. By so doing, you save a considerable portion of the male hemp, which bears no seed, and the lint of the female hemp, nearly in perfection; and in addition, secure to yourself from 8 to 10 bushels of seed to the acre, and the lint but little inferior to that cut in the blow. if sowed or planted entirely for seed, it should stand longer, but not so late as is usually practised. If it remains until a great portion of the seed is turned to a black or dark brown colour, you lose more by shelling, in the operation of gathering, than is lost by light and imperfect seed by securing it earlier. The stalks of hemp planted for seed are of little value--not worth the expense of transportation to a machine. The usual mode of harvesting in this country, is performed by cutting it with a cradle. Where the surface of the land is quite smooth, it is undoubtedly the most expeditious manner of gathering; but not in my opinion the most economical. I consider pulling decidedly preferable. The best part of the coater lint is that nearest the root. Four inches of the bottom of the stalk (which is generally left when cradled) is worth more than twelve inches near the top; and in a good crop the saving would be equal to the whole expense of pulling. Before dismissing this subject, I consider it my duty to say that in my preference for pulling, instead of cradling, I differ inn opinion with the Kentucky hemp growers and most of my neighbors in whose judgment I have great confidence on most subjects; but in this particular, I believe they are mistaken. Experience, our surest guide, will shortly test the correctness of these opinions. After pulling or cradling, it should be bound in bundles of 6 or 8 inches in diameter, put into stooks of 10 or 12 bundles, with the butts standing out and the tops secured by at least two bands. In this manner it may remain where a partial seed crop is expected, until fit for thrashing; the time for which must in a great degree depend upon the state of the weather; the sooner it can be done the better. Immediately after thrashing it should be taken to a pond or vat, for water rotting or housed. As exposure to the atmosphere not only injures the colour, but the fibre, great care should be taken before binding to even the butts. This is an important consideration, not only in dressing, but in the value of the article in market. The profits of a Hemp Crop.-- I must reply to this enquiry, by saying, that the extravagant anticipations of many (who are at least half crazy on this subject) cannot be realized. I believe, when properly managed on suitable land, it is decidedly the most profitable crop our country produces; but such as expect a profit of from 75 to 100 dollars per acre, will nine times out of ten experience disappointment. Such profits have in some instances been realized; but they are of rare occurrence. John Fraser, Esq. of Ferrisburgh, one of our most wealthy and respectable farmers, will realize a net profit of more than ninety dollars an acre from the land he sowed last season to hemp; but few if any of his neighbors can boast a similar result. I consider the average net proceeds of a fair crop on suitable land, will be from 25 to 30 dollars per acre. Notwithstanding our want of information from the beginning of our experiments, and bad management to the close of last season. I am warranted in saying, that all the hemp growers of a fair crop in this neighborhood, where common prudence has been exercised, will realize a profit of at least 20 dollars per acre. Preparation for Market.-- Since the introduction of Hines' Patent Hemp and Flax Dressing Machine, (which from all the information I have been able to obtain, is preferable to any machine now in operation in Europe or America) most of the hemp offered in market from the Northern States, has been dressed without either dew or water rotting in the stem, -- a practice which ought not to be continued or countenanced. From this circumstance, American hemp has been quoted at a price much below the foreign article; which has induced many to believe that our soil and climate are not adapted to its growth, and that we must always be tributary to Russia for the first quality of this indispensable article. -- Such impressions are erroneous, and ought to be corrected. The soil and climate of many parts of the Northern States and a considerable portion of Lower Canada will produce as good hemp as grows on earth. All that is required to bring the article into just repute, is proper care in cultivation and suitable preparation for market. I repeat, that water rotting in the stem is indispensably requisite; and without this process, we cannot rationally calculate on a successful competition with a nation less civilized than our own. American farmers are generally in too great haste. We try to do too much. It would be for our interest to improve less land and to cultivate better what we do improve. Dew rotting improves hemp very much, but is by no means equal to water rotting. The latter process is less expensive. Most farmers who have no natural ponds, can with trifling expense fit up a little pool or vat. On clay land, where water can be introduced, two men with a team plough and scraper, will with two or three days labor, make an artificial pond sufficient for water rotting the produce of 20 acres. The time for hemp to be immersed, depends on the temperature of the water. From 3 to 6 days, will, at the proper season be found sufficient in still and stagnant water, which is generally considered preferable. it should be carefully watched after the third day, and when the coat is found easily to separate from the stem, the work is done, and no time should be lost in removing it from the water. The best and least expensive mode of drying is to unbind the hemp and set it up by the side of a fence or light railing, erected for the purpose, where the water will readily drain off, and the hemp dry much sooner than by spreading it upon grass. For want of necessary conveniences for drying in this manner and the process for spreading, grassland should be resorted to. Great care ought to be taken in wet or moist weather, to have it turned often, to prevent mill-dew. After drying, it may be bound in large bundles, taking care to even the butts as much as possible, and immediately housed or taken to the Machine for drying. 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