CROPS. 547 



in some parts of Germany, by a kiln of simple construction for 

 that purpose, which saves much time. The hemp, after being 

 dried, is broken by a machine formed by one heavy stone rolling 

 over another, which breaks the bark j and sometimes by mallets, 

 and then the bark is picked off by the hand a slow process, 

 and prejudicial to the health of the laborers from the dust which 

 fills the room where this is done. 



The produce of an acre of hemp is ordinarily about 350 Ibs., 

 and of the seed from thirty to thirty-five bushels. 



There are several other crops cultivated extensively in Flan 

 ders ; but my object is not so much to give a specific and de 

 tailed account of the mode of cultivation of these crops as the 

 general features of the cultivation. Tobacco and hops are 

 grown to a considerable extent j and likewise several plants 

 valuable for their coloring or dyeing properties, such as Woad or 

 Pastel, Weld, and Madder. 



8. TOBACCO. Tobacco is cultivated as an article of large 

 consumption and of commerce. It is quite remarkable that a 

 plant so odious and offensive as this, in no respect conducive to 

 health, and in most cases positively injurious, and so nauseous 

 and repugnant to an unaccustomed taste until habit has over 

 come this repugnance, should have acquired such a hold, that it 

 has become, with a large portion of mankind, almost a necessary 

 of life. There is no hope of a reformation in this respect, and 

 the use is constantly extending itself. 



There are two kinds of tobacco cultivated in Flanders that 

 of Virginia and that of Turkey : the former is esteemed greatly 

 superior to the latter. 



It has its place in the rotation of many farmers, occurring 

 sometimes once in four, and sometimes twice in seven years. It 

 will grow well upon most soils, excepting a heavy clay, or a dry 

 sand, or a wet soil ; but it requires laborious cultivation and 

 abundant manuring. The crop is stated to be 4000 Ibs. ; but 

 this much exceeds the amount grown to an acre under the best 

 cultivation which I have known in the United States ; 2000 Ibs. 

 would, I think, be considered there a large crop, though I have 

 known an average crop of 2700 Ibs. grown on several acres under 

 circumstances peculiarly favorable. 



The soil is ploughed, and the manure ploughed in, in the 



