DELET.,. 7

apparently simple operation; and, that, conséquently, there must be an unnecessary degree of profusion in the use of it. The wheat stubbles appeared to have afforded most abundant crops. If they yield moderately under the flail, I should not estimate their produce at less than from five to six quarters on an English acre. Very few of the stubbles had clover growing in them, perhaps where the natural herbage is so luxuriant, there is but little inducement to cultivate the artificial grasses. The oat stubbles appeared to me much inferior to the wheat, and no barley was to be seen.

In this district, madder is very extensively cultivated. The rootis usually suffered to swell in the ground for three years, at the end of which time it is considered to be in the best state, and usually produces 4,000 pounds to the acre. Many of the cultivators are, however, now compelled by the ne- cessities of the times, and the want of capital, to take up the roots at the end of the second year, and carry them to a very depressed market. The growth of madder tends to exhaust the most fertile soils, and a whole years fallow is usually found necessary after it, to enable the land to bear wheat. The madder is frequently followed by colewort, and some- times, but more rarely turnip-seed is sown, to that succeeds a corn crop, either wheat or oats; after which, the land is again laid down to grass, whose growth in a very short period, becomes highly luxuriant.

The country between Helvoetsluys and Delft is extremely populous, even if the towns which intervene be not included in the estimate; and the quantity of corn that is raised, must be very far short of what is required for the supply of the inhabitants, although the lower orders generally are sub- sisted on potatoes. The principal produce of this tract of B

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