74 The Agricultural Papers of George Washington 



TO ANTHONY WHITING 



Philadelphia, 11 November, 1792. 

 Mr. Whiting, 



Since my last, I have received your letters of the 2d and 

 7th instant, and shall notice such parts of them as require 

 it, and give such directions respecting my business, commit 

 ted to your management, as may occur to me. 



I shall again express my wish, and, as the raising of corn 

 at the Mansion-House is given up, will also add my anxiety, 

 to have all the ground (except single trees and clumps here 

 and there) cleared, and well cleared, as mentioned in a former 

 letter, between the old clover lot and the sunken ground 

 quite from the wharf to Richard s house and the gate ; but, 

 previously, do what has been desired from the cross fence 

 by the spring, to the wharf. In clearing the whole of this 

 ground, let all the ivy and flowering trees and shrubs remain 

 on it, over and above the clumps, and other single trees where 

 they may be thought requisite, for ornament. The present 

 growing pines within that enclosure might be thinned, and 

 brought more into form. When this is done, and all the 

 low land from the river up to the gate laid down in grass, it 

 will add much to the appearance of the place, and be a real 

 benefit and convenience, as it will yield an abundance of 

 grass. 



All the hands, that can be conveniently spared, may be 

 kept steadily at this work until it is accomplished, or till 

 they are called off for other essential purposes. The ditch 

 ers too, when not employed about more essential work, may 

 aid in this. And it will be necessary for you to think of 

 some crop for the new part of the ground, that will require 

 cultivation through the summer; otherwise the clearing of 

 it will be labor in vain, as in a year or two, without cultiva- 



