The New Hampshire Gazette

Province of New-Hampshire.

To the Printer,

Whoever Encourages the Raising any useful
Commodity, is so far a public Benefactor, in
which Way I should be glad to contribute my Mite to
the Service of the Province. which I apprehend would
be greatly advanced by a closer Attention to, and Prac-
tice of the Business of Agriculture. The King himself is
served of the Field. But among the many Branches of
this Business (For it is a large Field) the Raising of
FLAX deserves more Regard, than has been generally
had to it, in this Part of the Province : For the Usefulness
of it is evident: and the great Demand for Several
Years last past for the Seed. is an additional Advantage,
yet Farmers in general have not been disposed to raise it,
as they might have done :

Wherefore, as the Season is now coming on for the
Business of Husbandry, I would put my Neighbours in
Mind, of not forgetting their own Advantage in this
Article. And if to be assured of a Market and a good
Price beforehand, for a considerable Quantity, will prove
an Encouragement; I hereby engage to take off their
Hands, any Quantity to the Amount of Five Thousand
Pounds Weight, and will give at the Rate of Sixty
Pounds Old Tenor a Hundred Averdupois, for that
which shall be well dressed from the Swingle. And
Four Pounds Old Tenor a Bushel for the Seed well
cleansed, any Quantity to the Amount of Two Thousand
Bushels. And such Seed as is Foul, I will take at a proper
Allowance for cleansing. and will pay the Cash if delivered
at my House any Time before the last of October next.

I am persuaded if Farmers could be prevailed on to
Shake off their Attachment to old Customs, inquire more
into the Practice of other Places, and but once admit
as a possible Case, that there might be a better Way of
improving Land, than either their Grandfathers, their
Fathers, or themselves, (which is generally one uniform
Round) have hitherto known, we should soon see less
Labour lost in Raising Indian Corn. (one Bushel of
which costs as much before it is fit for Use. as three of
English,) more wholesome as well as more Plenty of
cheaper Bread, more Flax (which perhaps is the most
profitable) and every other Increase of the Field, the
Public better provided with all the Necessaries of Life,
and what is still more, the Farmers here, as well as in
other Places grow rich.

Hampton, March 16. 1761.

Jonathan Moulton.