The Bad Harvest of 1782. 55 



the question of malting bear, already spoken of, seems 

 rather in the nature of a simple recommendation. It 

 runs thus : " To show an example of moderation in 

 the use of the necessaries of life to those of inferior 

 degree, it will be highly commendable, in all gentlemen 

 and others, not only to give over entirely for a time the 

 use of home-made spirits, but also, in as far as health 

 permits, to abstain from the use of malt liquors of every 

 kind that shall be brewed from grain in this country, 

 and also prohibit their servants from using it as drink, 

 permitting no malt liquor in their families but merely 

 as kitchen (that is as a nourishing and palatable addition) 

 to bread or other dry food where milk cannot be had ; 

 and in that case to allow no more at each meal than 

 shall appear to be indispensably necessary." Following 

 on this other provident and precautionary measures 

 were suggested. Gentlemen were recommended to 

 make exact survey of " all the corns" on their respective 

 estates, to ascertain what stacks contained stuff in a 

 state sufficient for seed, and have these "marked off 

 and appropriated to that purpose alone ;" to promote 

 the sowing of bear in place of oats as coming earlier to 

 harvest ; and, in particular, that a subscription should 

 be opened to import early potatoes for seed, " especially 

 the early Henley," which, it seems came two months 

 sooner to maturity than the other varieties. And as 

 early Dutch turnips came "into eating in May and 

 June," these would be found highly useful. More- 

 over, " the meal of the present crop, on account of its 

 bad quality, will, with too much certainty, subject those 

 who must live entirely upon it to various disorders ; 

 and nothing it has been said, proves more efficacious to 

 remove this species of disorder than turnip." To all 

 this is added the recommendation that, to render next 

 crop as abundant as might be, farmers should prepare 

 only the best of their land for sowing (proprietors sanc- 

 tioning departure from the usual rules of husbandry) dis- 

 regarding " that which would yield but a poor return." 



