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iccmed doubtful, or to afcertam the moil 

 beneficial iRethods of cultivation, I fhall 

 confine mylcit in this letter to general ideas 

 of improvement, which are peculiarly- 

 applicable to a heathy and mountainous 

 country, fuch as prevails in many parts of 

 this kingdom : The principal of thefe are 

 the wolds in the Eaji-Riding of Torkfiire^ 

 Lincoln^ and Neivmarket-heaths^ and Marl- 

 borough-downs. Thefe, and fome other 

 uninclofed parts of a fmiilar nature, are, 

 I prefume, the moft confiderable tracts of 

 unimproved country in England * ; and as 

 I imagine the whole to be at prefent ex- 

 tremely low-rented, thinly inhabited, and 

 capable of great improvement, it becomes 

 a national objedl:, as well as of the utmoft 

 importance to the proprietors, to examine 

 in what manner this immenfe extent of 

 wafte land may be enabled to yield a greater 

 produce both of grain and fodder, main- 

 tain a greater number of inhabitants, and 

 thus flrcngthen the community whilil it 

 enriches individuals. My fituation on the 

 edge of the wolds, my long and conftant 

 refidence in the country, and my attention 

 to every object of improvement, has in 

 fome degree enabled me to give hints on 



* Sir Digb)\, I apprehend, excludes 'the Moors, 

 which arc tcitainly more cxtenfne than any other 

 waftc tradj. ;. a gi 0^^^' '-^ ' 

 this 



