manner, that the Merchant fhall fuffer no injury. In the Letters from this ingenious Correfpondent will alfo be found fome hints relative to the Manufacture of Duck or Sail-cloth, and the preferving Wood under water, which merit the attention of the Public. In this Volume is inferted a Letter, from Dr. Dancer, which was accompanied by famples of the various articles there enumerated; and notwithstanding the injury they had fuffered, it clearly appears that the Cinnamon now growing in Jamacia is of the best kind, or, what is called in Ceylon, Raffe Coronde, and promifes in due time to become a valuable article of importation to this country. The other Letter, under the head of Colonies and Trade, contains an authentic confirmation, by Hinton Eaft, Efq. of the manner by which the Island of Jamaica was firft furnished with the Cinnamon and other Eaft Eaft-India plants and feeds. When it is recollected how difficult it is to obtain information relative to the introduction of any articles into a country where they are not indigenous, the recording fuch events must be highly pleafing to every reader. Among the new Premiums offered this year, one appears for Draining Land in a more fubftantial and efficacious manner than is generally practifed. As it is known that in many fituations all attempts to improve the Soil, without firft draining the Land, are nugatory and vain, it is believed the obtaining and laying before the Public the best and most approved method of performing that work, will be of very effential advantage to the Agriculture of this kingdom. In the class of Agriculture will also be found a Premium offered for the cure of the Rot in Sheep as the discovery of a remedy for this fatal diforder formerly occupied the attention of the Society, a variety of Papers have at different times been received, but but all of them unfatisfactory: it is now therefore renewed, in hopes that fome remedy will be found for this complaint, which commits fuch dreadful ravage among the flocks, the nature of which does not appear to have been well understood, nor for which a rational method of cure has ever yet been established. A Premium was formerly offered by the Society for ufing Gypfum, or the ftone from which plaster of Paris is prepared, as a manure. This was done, in confequence of fome Letters from Switzerland, in which that material was highly recommended; but no claims having been made, it was fome years fince difcontinued: it is now refumed, feveral accounts from America giving reason to think it may be of service when applied as a top-dreffing for Land. See Young's Annals of Agriculture, N° 85. In the clafs of Chemistry a hint is taken from the Letter of Mr. Pitt, and a pre mium offered for condenfing Smoke; which, if found practicable, may prevent that annoyance fo frequently and juftly complained of by perfons who are fituated near large works, as Founderies, Breweries, &c. The preferving Fresh Water sweet, for the ufe of Seamen during long voyages, is a matter of fo much importance, that it will readily appear how proper it is a premium fhould be offered, to obtain a method of doing it fuch Premium therefore will be found in this Volume; and it is hoped ingenious perfons will employ their thoughts thereon, as it is hardly poffible to conceive an object of more utility to the maritime interefts of this country. The use of the Gun-Harpoon in the Whale Fishery being now established, it has been thought proper to change the condition of the premium offered for encouraging the use of it, and henceforward to give a certain fum to that Harpooner who fhall ftrike a ftrike the greatest number of Whales there- The great addition of Members during CONTENTS. |