Query XVIII.

In the year 1758 we exported feventy thoufand hogfheads of tobacco, which was the greateft quantity ever produced in this country in one year. But its culture was fafl declining at the commencement of this war and that of wheat taken its place and it mufl continue to decUne on the re- turn of peace. I fufped that the change in the temperature of our climate has become fenfible to that plant, which, to be good, requires an extraordinary degree of heat. But it requires ftill more indifpenfa- bly an uncommon fertility of foil: and the price which it commands at market will not enable the planter to produce this by manure. Was the fupply ftill to depend on Virginia and Maryland alone as its cul- ture becomes more difficult, the price would rife, fo as to enable the planter to furmount thofe difficulties and to live. But the weftern country on the Miffifipi, and the midlands of Georgia, having frefli and fertile lands in abundance, and a hotter fun, will be able to underfell thefe two ftates, and will oblige them to abandon the raifing tobacco altogether. And a Uu happy obligation for them it will be. It is a culture produflive of infinite wretch- ednefs. Thofe employed in it are in a continual ftate of exertion beyond the power of nature to fupport. Little food of any kind is raifed by them; fo that the men and animals on thefe farms are badly fed, and the earth is rapidly impoverifhed. The cultivation of wheat is the reverfe in every circumftance. JBefides clothing the earth with herbage, and preferving its fertility, it feeds the labourers plentifully, requires from them only a moderate toil, except in the feafon of harveft, raifes great numbers of animals for food and fervice, and difFufes plenty and happinefs among the whole. We find it eafier to make an hundred bufliels of w^ieat than a thoufand weight of tobacco, and they are worth more when made. The weavil indeed is a formidable obftacle to the cultivation of this grain with us. But principles are al- ready known which mud lead to a remedy. Thus a certain degree of heat, to wit, that of the common air in fummer, is neceffary to hatch the egg. If fubterra- nean granaries, or others, therefore, can be contrived below that temperature, the evil will. be cured by cold. A degree of heat beyond that