BOTANY. 



291 



vegetables^ the times and seasons of planting, sowing, and 

 reaping, should be carefully ascertained, as from the want of 

 information of this kind we frequently lose the advantage 

 that might otherwise accrue from the introduction of exotic 

 plants. The particular soils and kinds of manure suitable or 

 favourable to their increase, should also be noticed ; as like- 

 wise What animals are particularly injurious to the crops, and 

 what modes are adopted to prevent or repel their attacks. 



The agricultural operations of foreign countries, well merit 

 the particular attention of the Traveller, both with respect 

 to the subjects cultivated, and to the purposes to which they 

 are applicable ; the quantities of seed apportioned to an acre 

 of ground ; the modes of sowing it ; the average number of 

 hands employed on any given quantity of land ; the modes 

 of weeding or cleansing the crops ; of ploughing, harrowing, 

 irrigating, scarifying, and paring of land, should likewise be 

 ascertained ; as also the plans of mowing, reaping, or other- 

 wise collecting and housing the crops, with the particular 

 methods practised for thrashing or freeing the various seeds 

 from their husks or chalF, or for preparing any vegetable sub- 

 stances for manufacture, as Hemp, Fiax, Cotton, &c. Answers 

 to these queries will with great probability be attended with 

 advantage. As the introduction of a vegetable of equal 

 value with the Potatoe, would form ao object of the higkest 

 national importance. Travellers cannot more essentially 

 serve their country, than by ascertaining the kinds, and pro- 

 curing seeds or plants of the various culinary or esculent ve- 

 getables, in use in other countries ; as by their introduction, 

 an addition will be made to our present stock of foodful 

 plants, which is of far greater importance than the introduQ- 



