Pubdate: 1892
Source: The Growth of Industrial Art
Steel engraved printing: Sackett & Wilhelms, New York
Publisher: The Commissioner of Patents

The images linked in the tables below are from three extremely rare and very large (nearly poster sized) 1892 steel engraved prints illustrating developments over time in the history of hemp and flax harvesters and processors. The engravings were done by Sackett & Wilhelms of New York. They are from a very rare volume published in 1892 by The Commissioner of Patents and titled "The Growth of Industrial Art."

TEXT FROM THE HEMP AND FLAX HARVESTERS PRINT:

Hemp and flax harvesters are reaping machines resembling those for corn in their adaption to operate upon tall top-heavy stalks, and differ from them in cutting low. One form is a puller, which grasps the stalks near the ground and uproots them. Another variety is one with a low platform on wheels, with a cutter bar in front, a reel to gather the stalks to the knives and direct them over into a cradle where they are collected in a bunch. In another form the stalks are caught by an arm till a shock is collected.

The stalk puller consists of a pair of revolving disks on axes, set at an obtuse angle with each other, so as to grip the stalks, which are conducted between them at the lowest part of their revolution, and then open as they rotate, and allow the stalks to fall into a cradle on the ground.

36 Patents Granted by the United States including all scans from this poster except for the grass hook.

TEXT FROM THE HEMP AND FLAX TREATMENT PRINT:

Hemp is not mentioned in our translation of the Hebrew, and but sparingly in the Greek classics. The Thracians made garments of hemp, which closely resembled linen. The Greeks and Romans used hemp, but never cultivated it before the Christian era. Cloth, made of hemp, became common in Europe in the thirteenth century.

In Virginia, United States, hemp was raised previous to 1648. In 1657 its culture was encouraged by the Government.

To separate the fibre, the hemp is dew-rotted or water-rotted. In the former process, the hemp is spread upon the ground in October, or a month or two later, according to the climate; when the lint readily separates upon breaking a stalk, the process, which requires about two months, is complete. In water-rotting, the hemp is immersed in water for ten days or more, according to the season. This is done is streams, in artificial pools made near the margin of a river, or in large wooden vats under cover. When rotted in vats the hemp is subjected to a partial breaking, which lessens its bulk. After the hemp is rotted and dried it is taken to the brake, which is either a rude affair worked like a flax brake, or an improved machine operated by steam, or other power. After breaking the hemp is twisted into bundles and baled for market.

The principal hemp producing countries are Russia, Italy, Holland, Turkey, Great Britain, the East Indies, and the United States