64 



ON HEMP. 



the ground is slightly scratched by an instrument, when the seed is 

 sown towards the end of the rainy season. It grows luxuriantly, 

 without further trouble, to the height of seven or eight feet, or 

 more ; and soon after the conclusion of the rainy season it is ripe. 



There are vast tracts of mountainous ground in Salsette, where 

 Hemp would grow to perfection ; and there is also much uncultiva- 

 ted low land, on which it could be raised without interfering with 

 the present agriculture of the country. It might be proper to let the 

 people have such land as is employed in this cultivation free from 

 rent. This encouragement, I think, would have the desired effect 

 in the course of a few years ; but I cannot suppose, that the people 

 of that island will pay for the land in order to cultivate Hemp, or 

 that they will raise any quantity of it, which they do not see they 

 can immediately dispose of to some advantage. 



Letter from Dr. Helenas Scott, Zlst May, 1803. 



