1837] 



FARMERS' REGISTER. 



327 



miles frotii its confluence, through the richest tract 

 of land in the state of Virginia, maj' (as is gup- 

 posed) be made naviirable tor less than JE2000. 

 The south branch of Potomac (100 miles higher 

 up, and) tor 100 miles of its extent, may be made 

 navigable fiir a nmch le?s sum. And the inter- 

 mediate waters on the Viririma side in that pro- 

 portion, accordinir to their nuiixnitude. On the 

 iMaryliind side (the river Potomac, to the head of 

 (he north branch, being the biMuidary between the 

 two Slates,) the Monoracy and Conogecheap, are 

 capable of improvement to a degree which will be 

 convenient and beneficial to the inhabitants of 

 that state, and to parts of Pennsylvania. 



The local, or state taxes, are enumerated in the 

 answers to the circular letter; and these, from the 

 nature of the government, will probably decrease. 

 The taxes of the general government will be found 

 in the revenue laws, which are contained in the 

 volume that accompanies this letter. "• The 

 Pennsylvania JMercury, and Philadelphia Price 

 Current," are sent, that you may see what is, and 

 has been, the prices of the several enumerated ar- 

 ticles which have been bouirht and sold in this 

 market at different periods, within the last twelve 

 months. 



An English farmer must entertain a contemp- 

 tible opinion of our husbandry, or a horrid idea of 

 our lands, when he shall be informed that not 

 more than eight or ten bushels of wheat is the 

 yirMd of an acre; but this low produce may be as- 

 cribed, and principally too, to a cause which I do not 

 find touched by either of the gentlemen whose 

 letters are sent to you, namely, I hat the aim of 

 the farmers in this country (if they can be called 

 farmers) is, not to make the most they can from 

 the land, which is or has been cheap; but the most 

 of the labor, which is dear*; the consequence of 

 which has been, much ground has been scratched 

 over, and none cultivated or improved as it ought 

 to have been: whereas a farmer in England, 

 where land is dear, and labor cheap, finds it his in- 

 terest to improve and cultivate highly, that he may 

 reap large crops from a small quantity of ground. 

 That the last is the true, and the first an erroneous 

 policy, I will readily grant; but it requires time to 

 conquer bad habits, and hardly any thing short of 

 necessity is able to accomplish it. That necessity 

 is approaching by pretty rapid strides. 



If Irom these communications you shall derive 

 inlbrmation or amusement, it will be but a small 

 return for the favors I have received from you; and 

 I shall feel happy in having had it in my power to 

 render them. As they result from your letter of 

 the 25th of January, and are intended for your 

 private satisfaction, it is not my wish that they 

 should be promulgated as coming from me. 

 With very great esteem, 



I am, sir, 

 Your most obdt. and very humble serv't. 



G. WaSHIiVGTOIV. 



Arthur Young, esq. 



The following circular letter was addressed to se- 

 veral gentlemen, the best infbrmf^d ol" the acrri- 

 culture, value of lands, and the |)rices of pro- 

 duce, &c. in iiie states of New York, New Jer- 



*A very pointed observation, and clearly explana- 

 tory. [A. Y.] 



eey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia; and 

 the answers which have been received are there- 

 unto subjoined. 



Philadelphia, Jug. 25, 1701. 

 Dear Sir: 



Some inquiries having been made of me by im- 

 portant characters, on the state of ojiriculture in 

 America, comprehending its several relations, and 

 intended to ascertain the value of our lands, with 

 their yield in the several kinds of grain, grass, &c. 

 the prices of farming stock, the f)rices of produce, 

 &c. together with a list of the taxes in the ditler- 

 ent states, which may in any way afiect the far- 

 mer; as an object highly interesting to our coun- 

 try, I have determined to renderthe most just and 

 satisfactory answers that the best information I 

 can obtain from different parts of the United 

 States will enable me to give. 



With this view, my confidence in your disposi- 

 tion and knowledge, leads me to offer to your in- 

 quiry, and to request from your intelligence, aa 

 early intbrmation as may be convenient, on the 

 following heads: 



1. The fee-simple prices of farming lands in 

 such part of the state of as 

 are neither so near to large towns as to enhance 

 their value, nor so distant from market as greatly 

 to reduce it, or to make tiie situation inconvenient. 

 In your answer to this inquiry, be pleased to note, 

 generally, the situations, the soil, and, if it be 

 practicable, the proportions ol" arable, pasture, and 

 wood land. 



2. The rents of the same lands, when leased, 

 and, generally, the terms of lease. 



3. The average product of the same lands in 

 wheat, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, beans, peas, 

 potatoes, turnips, grasses, hemp, flax, &Cw in the 

 common mode of husbandry now practised. 



4. The average prices of these articles, when 

 sold at the fiirm, or carried to the nearest market. 



5. The average prices of good working horses, 

 working oxen, milch cows, sheep, hogs, poul- 

 try, &c. 



6. The average price of beef, veal, mutton, 

 pork, butter, and cheese, in the neighborhood, or 

 at the nearest market towns. 



7. The price of wrought iron, whence the price 

 of farming utensils may be inferred. 



8. A list of the taxes laid in the state of 



The tendency of this inquiry, will be my apolo- 

 gy for the trouble it may give to you. 



I am, dear sir, with great regard. 



Your most obedient servant, 

 (Signed) G. Washingtoiv. 



ANSWERS* TO THK PRECEDING LETTER. 



York Town, Pennsylvania, Sept. 24, 1791. 

 Sir; 



I considered myself as highly honored by your 

 favor of !he 25th ult. and have taken all the pains 

 in my power to give you the satisfaction you wish 

 for. Being soon obliged to leave home for several 



* I may observe once for all, that these accounts 

 procured by the person of all others whose request 

 would be most carefully complied with, and cominj^ 

 from those who would unquestionably be chosen with 

 sinofular propriety, must necessarily carry a deg;ree of 

 authority with them, unattainable by other means. 



A. Y. 



