The Virginia Gazette

By the most accurate Calculation, it has been found that there are 39 Millions of Acres of Land in England, nine Millions and upwards of which Land consist of Heaths, Moors, Mountains, &c. and this exclusive of Woods, Forests, Parks, and Commons. Now, as Experience has taught us that neither the Skill of our Farmers, nor the Assistance of the Legislature, can guard against the Deficiency in Crops of Grain, occasioned by inclement Seasons, the only Remedy for this appears to be an Extension of our Cultivation, which may certainly be obtained by purchasing, at the publick Expense, those Tracts of Heaths, Moors, and other waste Lands, that deform, more or less, every County in the Kingdom. By this Mode of Proceeding, injurious to none, and beneficial to all, there might be such an Accession made to our arable Lands as would secure us from Scarcity at home at all Times, and restore to us that great Source of national Wealth, Exportation of Grain, and that perhaps without a Bounty.