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duce-not to seek,-and that personal engagements were totally independent of all contingencies, and their satisfaction not in the least degree uncertain.

The different branches of the subject, and the sources of evidence which ought to be applied to in its investigation, are of themselves astounding. There is hardly any part of our domestic Economy, which is not either more immediately or remotely connected with it; -and the situation and circumstances of this country with relation to the pursuits, productions, character, and policy of other Countries even have their bearings and influence in the inquiry.'

'The following evidence might contribute to show the effects of the Law by its alteration on passing the Act of 4th and 5th Ann.

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT.

Prior to the 4th. and 5th of Ann, 1705.

The population of Great Britain at given periods during War and in Peace.

The Number of Failures (distinguished in classes.)

The Amount of Exports and Imports.

Subsequent to the Statute of the 4th and 5th of Ann.

The population of Great Britain at given periods during War and in Peace. The Number of Failures (distinguished as before.)

The amount of Exports and Imports.

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TO BE CIRCULATED AS PRINTED MANUSCRIPT, BUT NOT HITHERTO PUBLISHED.

[Concluded from No. XXV. of this Work.]

LONDON:

VOL. XIII.

Pam.

NO. XXVI.

2 A

A COLLECTION OF PAPERS,

&c. &c. &c.

No. VI.

Hints on the Agricultural Advantages to be derived from our East Indian Possessions.

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HE agricultural interests of the British Empire might be essentially promoted by its connexion with India, in three different respects.

1. By procuring from India the seeds of such articles as might be cultivated in this country;

2. By transferring such East Indian productions to our West Indian colonies, as are likely to thrive there; and,

3. By improving the agricultural system of the East.

These various objects have been attended to by the Board of Agriculture, and not unsuccesfully; though they have not hitherto been carried to the extent which may yet be accomplished.

I. Advantages to British Husbandry.

In the communications to the Board, printed in seven volumes 4to. there is much information regarding the husbandry of the East; in particular, very accurate descriptions, accompanied by engravings, of the drill-plough, and the weeding-plough;' and in the same volume, there is a very able paper, containing Hints

' Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. 1. p. 352.

respecting the useful information of au agricultural description which might be procured from the East. It is there stated, that the wheat and barley grown in the East Indies, are of a quality far superior to any produced in England; the wheat in particular is so extremely large, full, and heavy in the grain, that any given measure of it would weigh much more than the same quantity of English wheat. The introduction of that species of wheat might be productive of infinite advantage to this country, not only from its superior weight, but as it would probably be exempted from various disorders to which the grain, so long cultivated in these kingdoms, is unfortunately liable. A change of seed from one farm to another is certainly of use; but such a change, from one country to another, would be of still greater importance.

To show how much those useful articles that might be procured from the East have been neglected, it may be proper to observe that I received a few days ago, a volume from Paris, intitled

Déscription de l'Ecole d'Agriculture practique du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle," in which there is an account of a species of plant adapted for fences, found in China, (Gleditsia Sinensis, L. M. K). It was first sown in 1810, and planted out in March 1812, and it is said to be the first hedge of that sort ever attempted in France, or perhaps in Europe. The intelligent author, Monsieur Thouin, adds, "there is reason to believe, on account of its numerous and strong prickles, it is likely to form the best hedge hitherto known." (See Neuvième Mémoire, p. 6.) The importance of improved fences cannot be questioned; and though, for so many years, we have carried on a greater trade with China, than all the rest of Europe put together, yet we are under the necessity of deriving from France this important information. Can there be a stronger proof, how little attention has hitherto been paid to these subjects? People are too apt to be impressed with an idea, that it is impossible to naturalise the productions of a Southern, in a Northern region. But that is quite a mistake. Without dwelling on our fruits, (which are in general the produce of warmer climates,) wheat, potatoes, red clover, and various articles now cultivated even in our fields, were originally brought from Sicily, America, and other more favored countries. By attention, both plants and animals of great utility, might be introduced from India with success; and the experiment is well worth

' Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. 1. p. 357.

2 Ditto, p. 358. A specimen of wheat from the province of Nagpour in the East Indies, called Gohou baughd, has recently been sent to the Board of Agriculture, and promises well. The Flour, it is said, is excellent; the Straw equal to the best hay for stock; and it is likewise not liable to be thrown down, and damaged in wet weather,

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