l82 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF 



Peat soils, which acquire an im(5luous rich clammi- 

 ness, by the application and action of dung, urine, al- 

 kaline salts, Sec. in partly dissolving the peat, are the 

 fittest of all soils for the growth of hemp. The culture 

 of this plant would be a source of employment to the in- 

 habitants in the winter, in preparing the hemp for 

 market, when prevented by frost and bad weather from 

 working without doors ; and would furnish an hiternal 

 or home supply of an article so indispensably necessary 

 to a maritime state. 



The cultivation of hemp * on peat mosses thus improved, 

 would be found to be an excellent preparation for wheat. 



Peat mosses and fens have, hitherto, generally been 

 considered either as nuisances, wdien in an unimproved 

 state, or as soils of the greatest fertility, when cidtivated. 

 These different states regard only the peat moss or fen 

 itself, and have no reference to any consequences that 

 might arise by the application of peat, or of any prepa- 

 ration of it to the neighbouring lands. But as peat has 



been 



* Were hemp cultivated on an extensive scale in this country, the expressed 

 oil from its seed might advantageously be applied to the manufadure of soap, of 

 a supcrio' quality to that which is now made of tallow ; for which purpose 

 large quantities are annually imported from Russia, and other countries. 



