HEMP AND FLAX. 33'^ 



acres j I could not name them. The proper way would 

 be to take a journey into the right distridls, and apply to 

 great numbers, with powers to make such a contracSl ; a 

 person well skilled in husbandrv, to explain the benefits, 

 and answer objedtions and doubts ; could by posting, tra- 

 verse a great extent of country in a month, if he knew the 

 right roads to take, and a good scattering of individuals to 

 apply to immediately. Such an experiment would enable 

 Government to ascertain pretty nearly what may be ex- 

 pelled. I am of opinion that many thousand acres might 

 thus be secured for sowing next spring. 



As to giving any assistance by advancing capital, I do 

 not conceive it to be in the least degree necessary. The 

 culture is not expensive; and those men who possess or 

 occupy the proper land, are generally in sufficient circum- 

 stances for the undertaking. They want only a sure price 

 for a proper number of years. Men who are in want of 

 so small a capital are not likely to efFeiSl the business. 

 But attention should be paid to procuring large quantities 

 of seed, whidi individuals, in case cf a great extension of 

 the culture, might not be able to procure. From ten 

 pecks to three bushels are sown per acre. 



The plans above suggested would take effefl upon a 

 very large scale next year. 



As there are many allusions to the old bounty in the 

 queries, it is necessary to observe, that they require so 

 many forms, and such delay in payment, tliat no exten- 

 sion would make tliem answer. And if a bounty should 

 be given per acre, though certain forms would be neces- 

 sary, yet thgse should be as simple a-, possible. 



One objedtion to a bounty is, that it would equally en- 

 courage and reward, at the expense of 5I. per acre, all 

 the hemp which would be cultivated though no "sucii mea- 

 sure was adopted, as well as new undertakings, alone in 



NORFOLK.] z contem- 



