1,0-2 



grains. One of my men found in my wheat-crop this year, 

 an ear which contained 105 grains. Wheat grows in tiers, 

 up the ear, each tier commonly containing three grains ; in 

 this extraordinary ear, each had six grains. Had 1 got 

 possession of this fine ear, H should have been carefully 

 planted this autumn, each grain singly, and should the 

 produce have proved a more prolific kind than usual, 1 

 should have continued its cultivation with the greatest care, 

 in order to circulate it. It well answers the. purpose, in all 

 grain intended for seed, but more particularly wheat, to run 

 it an extra time through the winnowing machine, to clear it 

 of all the small and light grains, for although most of these 

 would grow, they produce a shorter and weaker stem, with 

 a small ear, in which are grains of no value, and thus 

 encumber the crop to no purpose. It is judicious to sow 

 none but the best seed, for, excepting in unfavorable 

 seasons, as you sow, so shall you reap. 



Any important discovery to improve agriculture, is more 

 likely to have its origin, or at least to be carried into effec- 

 tive practice-, in Kngland or Scotland, than in any other part 

 of the world, and this, chiefly because the produce of the 

 land is of greater value than elsewhere. With an unrestricted 

 importation of foreign corn, ihe energies of British culti- 

 vators of land would be repressed ; they would not be likely 

 to endeavour, by any extra means and expenses, to increase 

 their quantity of produce, when they were not repaid the 

 expenses of cultivation for what they had raised. If the 

 price of British corn is to be brought down to a level with 

 continental prices, the same unexpensive modes of culti- 

 vating the land must be pursued in England as on the 

 Continent and the same amount of wages paid to labourers. 

 Neither of these can take place ; our climate preventing the 

 one, and our great national debt, which lowers the value of 

 labourers' wages, the other. The columns of newspapers 

 may be filled with articles against the Corn Laws, many 

 Borough Members of Parliament may be obliged, contrary 

 to their opinions, to vote against them, still, I do not 

 believe that a majority, in either House of Parliament, 

 would vote for their abolition. If they were abolished, the 

 superiority which British agriculture now possesses over 

 every other part of the world, would no longer exist. 



