A PAPER 
On the Importance of regulating the Inspect 
tion of Flour, &c. in the State of New- 
Tork, 
Head before the Society, February 23, 1814. 
BY JONAS HUMBERT* 
AGRICULTURE lays that foundation which produces a 
great and valuable stock, affording the means of subsistence 
to the greatest portion of the civilized world. Manufac¬ 
tures which are the most useful, and branches of commerce 
which are most beneficial, are intimately connected with 
agriculture. 
Under a benign providence, the cultivator becomes the 
happy instrument of setting on foot commerce with her ten 
thousand wheels, embracing and giving efficacy to a wide 
range of interests, as well as diffusing through society not 
only the necessaries of life, but also the most of its durable 
comforts and enjoyments. 
Experience has made it evident that there ought to be es? 
tablished regulations in every well organized state. Staple 
articles, as well for domestic use as for exportation, are al¬ 
ways to be considered as primary objects of attention. The 
interests of a country, or a state, materially depend upon its 
general regard to the good quality of its exports. It is 
true, that it is the peculiar province of the legislature to 
superihtend these important concerns ; yet, would it not be 
highly honorable to the Society for the Promotion of Arts 
and Agriculture, to take up a subject, and bestow some de¬ 
liberation upon a staple, deeply affecting the character as 
well as interests of this state. Should this imperfect sketch 
merit the attention of the Society—if the facts are not con¬ 
trovertible, and the reasoning should appear fair and con- 
