American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-02-01
From he Democratic Pyess.

EWOOLAND HEMP. FLAX AND POTATOES.
We have for some considerable time, Iabored 10
impress our country readers with the conviction
that IL IS their interest and the interest of the nation
that they should pay more attention 10 the growth
OF the several articles which head this pafaeraph
hat their convictions should be deep end perma
nent, we have from time to time presented them
with such facts as were best calculated to impress
this great truth upon their memories. We have
stated and repeat, that to our KNOWLEDGE, for %
Years there has not been grown in Pennsylvania as
many potatoes as the Inhabitants have actually con.
sumed; and they would have consumed mapy more
had they been Plentifully cultivated; and we have
stated and repeat that for 90 years potatoes have
been the most profitable crop to the cutiyator il
pennsylvania. This was true even when our bread
stutis brought the high prices they did in Europe
we rave also stated and repeat that we send large
quantities OF flax seed to Ireland and not only i'm.
port 1t from that country manufactured into liner
but We import large quantities Of the fax itself.
grown from our own seed, for the purpose of feed
ing our manufactures and they would be more
numerous and extensive than they are, if our farm
ers would grow FAX in greater abundance. Flax
IS anyways 10 demand and brings good price. Rich
IN industry and ingenuity, with fertile soil and
climate, we could grow abundance: vet when our
navy commissioners contract for materials TO float
our star spangied banner, are obliged to 20 cash
ana cap IN hand, to the domnons Of the crown Of
reat britain, to pray them to let us have as much
YAK as VIII make sails for our little navy. Is not
this shame. II neither self interest nor The inter
est OF the country sufficient to stimulate ia TO
the growth OF flax let call in our individual and
national pride, and let them goat us to its growth
~ all events, and from whatever mo,iyes--let flax
be cultivated abundanty.
Are not these statements sufficient eoco,raoe
md a.
when our bread stuffs are on hand in large ouant.
ties.
"a lew words with respect to hemp and WOOL At
the port OF Boston alone, and it is the ONLY port
we nave heard from, there has been imported since
Inc peace, two hundred thousand pounds of wool.
All the wool In the nation is worked m and we
are obliged to go abroad for wool 10 keen our manu-
factories agoing at time when il our farmers
would turn their attention to the subject, we might
"o' o'iy grow woot enough to feed and increase our
nanu'aeso''es' Out we might export enough to keep
warm some thousand shiyering wretcbes.
WITH respect to hemp the case is still stronger.
Within the last year, as is proved bv the nenort oe
the secretary OF the treasury, we have ;mnurted
nearly eight thousand tons of hemp and bempen
Soous' Aware that this fact will stagper belief we
nave suoIolned extracts from the official renor to
prove what we have said, OF the quantity TINS i'm.
porteu VIII be seen that nearly one half in weirs
a'o 'iee iouiths IN value of the articles were ma.
nuiactured abroad. We note this fac, to show our
farmers that It they would grow the hemp, they
would not only put money in their own rockets and
Keep wealth in their own country, but thew would
ma means 70 employ some thousands of their fell.
,om e'uzens IN the manufacture of it, This would be
ano,ner obvious advantage to them. All those thon.
oanus must eas and drink, and have the necessarY
eoi',oits Oh NE, and 1t is the farmer which musr
supply 'heW' Inc more manufacturers, the more
consumers; the mole consumers, The Greece H.
demand and the greater the demand, The higher
tne prices. Would not all this be the better for The
himself. s'e'S ''"" answer 'o'