1 791' LITERARY IKTELLIGENCER. 337 



I (hall have occafion afterwards, to make fome re- 

 marks on the Swedilh turnip. 



A Friend to Agriculture f . 



Tlje following extra^ of a letter on the fame fuhjeB 

 from Dr. Lettjom, is of too much importance not to me- 

 rit an} early notice, as it fatesjlrong faBs refpe£iing 

 this plant, that are, I believe, in a great meafure un- 

 known. 



Ik this week I had the favour of a letter from th^ 

 fecretary of the agricultural fociety of Amflerdam, o^ 

 which the following is a quotation : " The fcarcity root 

 is already known throughout our province ; we find no 

 reafon to complain of this difcovery ; our foils are very 

 apt to bear them, and particularly the fens and moory 

 grounds, promote the vegetation of this root to a pro- 

 digious fixe, fo that fome of them weighed 36 lb. with 

 the blade. We confider botli thefe plants (fcarcity 

 root, and mowing cabbage) as a very beneficial acqui- 

 fition, for fuch of our countrymen as live upon poor 

 heathy grounds, who are always in need of proper fodder 

 to fuftain their cattle." 



This letter, with my own experience, evince, how 

 cautious we fliould be of indifcrlminate cenfure. If the 

 fcarcity root have not anfwered with certain individu- 

 als, it is not a fufiicient proof of its inutility, fo various 

 are foils, and fo long does it require, the beft mode of 

 cultivating the products of the earth. If I fhould fteal 

 leifure, I Ihall devote fome obfervations in print to 

 prove thefe fentiments. 



J. C. Lettsom. 

 London , 1 

 January 26. 1791. j 



f The oKfervatlons of this correfpondcnt, or other? who ftate any 

 important faft rcfjicdling agriculture, will be always acceptable. 



Vol. I. + U u 



