No. 144.] 45 



the operation of converting the raw material to a fabric, presents 

 nothing new, but in the raain it is behind the age. Nor could it 

 be produced at all but for the low price of labor. For instance, 

 an ordinary day-laborer in the flax, is content with 90 centimes 

 (18 cents,) a day, and his hale and grown up daughter would 

 think herself amply compensated if she should receive for the 

 like time bO centimes (12 cents) a day, at the loom or spindle. 



Where the last described plant will not thrive, hemp, a hardier 

 vegetable, is grown. It is a profitable crop for the farmer who 

 dwells on the border of the river Aar, and patches of it are scat- 

 tered here and there over the more fertile parts of the Confedera- 

 tion. Great precaution is taken to procure piire seed, and in 

 order to obtain it a seed plat is surrounded by fields of potatoes 

 or cabbage. The great utility of this plant for the manufacture 

 of cordage and coarse cloths is well known to the reader. As 

 an oil-bearing plaiit it falls far below the colza, or flax. I would 

 further observe, that icater rotting is forbidden as a measure of 

 sanitary precaution, hence dew rotting obtains every where, on 

 grass. Great pains is taken to produce an equal rotting. 



The poppy is also cultivated here and there, especially near 

 Argau upon the Aar, less for eating than the extracting oil for 

 table use. 



White Mustard may be seen occasionally here and there, but it 

 is far from entering into general cultivation. 



The Hop is grown considerably in the Canton of Thurgau, and 

 also in the other Cantons. The staple is quite ordinary. The 

 flower has a rank smell and flavor. 



The culture of Tobacco has taken place in the Canton of Vaud, 

 near Payernne ; the staple is of good quality and of excellent 

 flavor ; very good segars are made from it. Patches of tobacco 

 of inferior growth and reputation are strewed over the Confede- 

 ration. As the Swiss are great consumers of this plant, and it is 

 mostly manufactured in their large towns, there is a heavy im- 

 portation from Grand Duchy of Baden and the neighboring 



