79 



excellencies, which ought to give it the highest standing in 

 this class of vegetables. 



The sea weeds which are seen in such quantities along 

 our coasts, might be turned to great account ; and this por- 

 tion of our territory which has been resigned to hopeless 

 sterility, may thus be rendered productive.* Every rock 

 and island near the Atlantic is covered with theCryptogamia 

 Algae, which by calcination is converted into kelp a salt es- 

 teemed at a much higher rate than the pearl ash in its pur- 

 est form.f Kelp is employed in the manufacture of glass, 

 alum and hard soap. The only use made of the sea weed 

 at present is for manure, which is scattered loosely over the 

 ground, just in the state in which it is taken from the sea 

 shore after a storm. 



Barrilla which is made in the same manner as kelp, and 

 employed for the same purposes, is procured from the Cryp- 

 togamia Filices or ferns, which grow not only along the coast 

 but in the upland country. The state of New-Jersey is 

 noted for the production of them. 



Kelp and Barrilla are made by burning the plants in kilns, 

 so that no air can approach them during their calcination. :{: 

 It is somewhat singular that these articles have not been 

 made the subject of commerce by the enterprising people 

 of New-England. 



The Urtica Whitlowi, discovered in the year 1810, by 

 Mr. Whitlow, promises to be a better and more lucrative 

 production than hemp or flax. Dr. Muhlenberg gave this 

 important plant its present name in compliment to the dis- 

 coverer. It is found in great abundance on the island be- 

 low this city — a place perhaps more fertile in plants, than 

 any other, of equal dimensions, in the United States. 



The fact is now well established, that the culture of hemp 

 offers a greater profit to the farmer, than if he should em- 

 ploy his time, his labour, and his field in any other manner 



* See National Arithmetic, or Observations on the Finances of 

 Massachusetts, chap. 5th. 

 -j- Tucker on Commerce. 

 \ Chambers on Glass and Soap Making-. 



