[ 2 4 2 ] 



from its effects when ufed as a medicine, it feema 

 to approach very near to, if it be not really, the 

 ubarb of the (hops. Many trials have been 

 i of it, and the reports of it are in its favour. 



"V ( [ own I have my doubts, and think it would 

 fcarcely be advifeable to recommend a general 

 culture of it* 



i'here is fomething in the native foil that im- 

 ] arts a virtue to plants which they fometimes do 

 not pofTefs in other places. 



Of all the objects of culture in this country, I 

 ihould leaft of all be difpofed to promote the cul- 

 ture of drugs. What virtues they have, if they 

 are good, we know pretty well; but as there is 

 nothing more difficult in the courfe of practical 

 fcience, than to afcertain the virtue or precife 

 effect of any drug, fo we may confider that which 

 is raifed in an unnatural or different foil, as a me- 

 dicine of untried virtue. It may be the fame with 

 that which we import; it may, however, be diffe- 

 rent in fome latent circumftance, and more or 

 lefs operative, and muft therefore fubject practi- 

 tioners to the rifque of difappointment, or the 

 fohcitude of attending numerous experiments* 

 when they have already a medicine at hand of the 

 effects of which they are pretty certain. 



We 



