348 APPENDIX. 



manufacture of fine bread. The hard wheat is the most prized, 

 being a large semi-transparent grain, well calculated for long 

 keeping, either in the granary, or when made into bread : so 

 that it is in great request for mixing with grain that is stale 

 or out of condition. When first brought to London, the millers 

 objected to it on account of the difficulty of grinding it ; but 

 having now ascertained its excellent qualities, they are glad to 

 purchase it for mixture with other grain. 



The next port of consequence in European Russia is Riga, 

 the largest part of whose foreign trade is transacted with 

 England. Riga wheat is, however, inferior to that of Dantzic, 

 and the port has now become more celebrated for flax than for 

 corn. Two descriptions of wheat reach us from Riga; one the 

 growth of Russia, the other of Courland : the latter is much 

 the best. Oats are likewise largely exported from Riga. 



Russia has still another port in the extreme north from 

 which corn is exported ; but the great severity of the climate 

 must always prevent much dependence being placed on these 

 supplies. This port is Archangel, on the right bank of the 

 Dwina, the principal city of a province bearing the same name, 

 part of which is exposed to the Arctic Sea. So great is the 

 sterility of many parts of this province, that the inhabitants 

 use the inner bark of trees, and certain species of moss, inter- 

 mixed with meal, or substituted for it, in making bread. It 

 is, therefore, not in this province itself, but in those farther 

 inland that corn is raised for exportation. 



The chief ports of northern Europe to which our merchants 

 have been accustomed to resort for corn, have now been briefly 

 noticed, namely, Dantzic, Hamburgh, Petersburg!], Riga, and 

 Archangel : we may add that Amsterdam is also an important 

 depot where the wheats of the above-named ports are to be 

 met with, as well as almost every other variety of corn. 



Let us now turn our attention to Southern Europe, and 

 consider the fertile and beautiful country of Spain. Some 

 years ago, no corn was permitted to be exported from 

 Spain under severe penalties ; but the inhabitants are now free 

 to export as largely as they please, not only corn, but all other 

 produce of the soil. And this they might do to an immense 

 extent under a better state of things ; but, owing to the bad- 

 ness of the roads, which prevent their getting a ready market 

 for their supplies, they can scarcely be said to cultivate the land 

 at all. Yet, such is the natural fertility of the soil, that the 

 crops are very abundant ; and in good years they so far exceed 

 the wants of the inhabitants, that the peasantry do not take the 



