C 373 J 



One peculiar advantage attending the cultiva- 

 tion of hemp and flax is, that a crop of the for- 

 mer prepares the land for the latter, and therefore 

 a crop of hemp is clear gain to the farmer. That 

 thefe plants impoverifti the foil, is a mere vul- 

 gar notion, devoid of all truth. The beft hif- 

 torical relations, and the verbal accounts of honefl 

 ingenuous planters, concur in declaring it to be 

 a vain prejudice, unfupported by any authority; 

 and that thefe crops really meliorate and improve 

 the foil. 



Therefore as hemp and flax can be raifed at 

 home fo much to the improvement of our lands, 

 the employment of our poor, and the intereft of 

 the nation at large, I am very foiicitous that this 

 fubject may come fcrioufly under the confidera- 

 tion of your Annual Meeting, and receive all 

 poflible encouragement from your publick-fpirited, 

 and truly laudable Society. 



I am, Gentlemen, 



Your humble fervant, 



A Dorsetshire Gentleman. * 



Dec. 8, 1781 



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