1 1 8 Extracts from the Replies to 



Accompanied with this, I jpclose a letter from a Mr. Vaizey, of Halsted, Essex, 

 upon a subject that may not be undeserving of the attention of the Board. 



" From accidental knowledge I have obtained of your being extensively concerned 

 for very considerable landed estates in different counties, and the propriety there 

 appears in the following subject coming under the notice of as much of ihe farm- 

 ing interest as possible, I take the liberty to present to you a few thoughts that 

 have been much the discussion of this part of the county of Essex, and to which 

 we have obtained the attention of several gentlemen in the landed interest, and 

 among the Committee now sitting on a revision of the corn laws. 



"A material argument in favour of such revision, seems founded on an idea that 

 the existing laws do not sufficiently protect the growth of our own country. Tliis 

 appears too evident to doubt ; and if so, a reasonable query arises as to the pro- 

 priety of the same principle being applicable to every descripti6n of crop, as far as 

 its importance (under every consideration) may extend. 



"The cultivation oi clovers has long been considered a useful and important 

 part of our husbandry, and perhaps it may be called (in many districts) an essential. 

 A considerable part of England, (more especially the southern and western coun- 

 ties I apprehend) have been in the practise of raising seed from red and white 

 clover, and trefoil ; and often these have been found a proHtable species of crop. 

 The produce in itself is naturally precarious, and the price has been as much so^ 

 frequently bearing no proportion to our quantity grown. 



" This disproportion of price to the crop, will necessarily have made the growing 

 seed a speculation with the farmer, and it has generally been provided for every 

 year, according to existing circumstances. Importauon of foreign seed has given 

 a general current to the prices of our market, probably with little respect to the 

 produce of our own country. 



" It is the opinion of many old experienced farmers, that the cultivation oi clovers 

 might be extended to advantage without lessening our produce of grain, hut per- 

 haps to increase it in many cases; and that, under our present plan, no doubt but 

 an increased growth of seed might be promoted, to considerable advantage and 

 profit to our farming. I will leave this question to other judgments, and beg your 

 attention to the propriety of restricting duties on the importation of foreign seed 

 as well as corn. It is said, that from i to £200,000. has been annually paid for 

 foreign seed, hitherto chiefly from France and Ilollandj and some little lately from 



