346 [Assembly 



like to hire a farm or place of from 50 to 100 acres of good land, 

 from next spring, with the privilege of purchasing at a future 

 day at a given price. I am inclined to think New-Jersey is well 

 suited to the cultivation of the mulberry, as the soil is rather dry, 

 and it is milder there. But your judgment will be superior to 

 mine, and by consulting your friends who understand the matter, 

 you may be able to give me some desirable information. I do 

 not wish to go far from New-York, nor be far removed from the 

 facilities of getting there in one or two hours, by railway or 

 steamer, the nearer the city the better. I have noticed the arti- 

 cles in the Parmer and Mechanic^ some old numbers of which I 

 have here, on this subject, and the reports of the meeting of the 

 Farmer's Club. If Mr. Van Epps is still in Nfew-York he may 

 know of some good place, or Mr. Meigs. 



I should like your views in regard to a suitable place. I in- 

 tend to take out some broussa seed and such as is used here, and 

 some trees, if I find a vessel going at the right season. You may 

 hear of a place with the mulberry trees already upon it, or know 

 of some party who has the trees to sell. I may go out to the 

 United States this full, if so, will call at the Institute. I con- 

 sider m}St:if a member of it, as I was many years ago appointed 

 corresponding member at Glasgow. An uncle of mine, Juniug 

 Smith, Esq., you know, I presume. 



I have had the honor to represent my country here as Consul for 

 some time, but think I shall return to the United States next 

 spring, wifh my family, to grow silk, and I shall esteem it a great 

 favor if you will aid me in procuring the information I desire; 

 and I beg you to command my services here, if they can be useful 

 to you or the Institute. 



I am, dear sir, yours truly, 



J. HosFORD Smith. 



P. S. — On reflection, I have decided to trouble Mr. Meigs, as I 

 have the pleasure of knowing him, though he may not remember 

 me, and I beg he will allow me to reciprocate in any way agree- 

 able to him. I should like a place that has been fairly cultiva- 

 ted, and has some fruit upon it. I intend to cultivate also the 

 grape to a moderate extent, the catawba, and may also try some 



