THE DEMAND FOR FOOD AND HIGHER FARMING 709
the cultivation of potatoes at home’, while every pains was A.D. 1776
taken to prevent any waste in the use of grain of any sort? es
Distillers were obliged to stop working, and the manufacture courage
. . . waste.
of starch was checked? while recommendations were issued*,
and apparently acted on to some extent, as to the duty of the
doubted, as it forms the chief subsistence of the southern part of the United
States of America. The use of it here has however been hitherto so little known,
that it is difficult to estimate either what quantity may be expected, or in what
proportion it may be introduced into the consumption of this country; but as it
is also applicable, with the greatest advantage, to the food of cattle, hogs, and
poultry, it cannot fail to operate, either directly or indirectly, as a valuable
uddition to the gemeral stock of Grain.” Reports, 1x. 126.
! The Committee on the High Price of Provisions resolved in Feb. 1801,
“That it is the opinion of this Committee, That that part of the United
Kingdom called Great Britain be divided into Twelve Districts; and that
Premiums, not exceeding in the whole the sam of £12,000 be offered for the culti-
7ation of Potatoes by Proprietors and Occupiers of land, not being Cottagers.
That it is the opinion of this Committee, That Premiums to the
amount of £13,000 be offered for the encouragement of the culture of Potatoes by
Cottagers in England and Wales, to be distributed in sums not exceeding £20, for
sach district or division in which Magistrates act at their Petty Sessions in their
several counties; and that such Day Labourer, Artificer, or Manufacturer, being
a Cottager in each of the said districts or divisions, who shall raise on land in his
secupation in the present year, the largest average crop of Potatoes per perch:—
In not less than 12 square perch of land . . » v
To the second largest crop on do. . . . . .
To the third largest crop on do. . . . . . .
Reports, 1x. p. 132.
2 “Your Committee have heard, with very great concern, that from the
mistaken application of the charity of individuals, in some parts of the country,
Flour and Bread have been delivered to the poor at a reduced price; a practice
which may contribute very considerably to increase the inconveniencies arising
from the deficiency of the last crop: And they recommend that all charity and
parochial relief should be given, as far as is practicable, in any other articles
:xcept Bread, Flour, and Money, and that the part of it which is necessary for the
sustenance of the poor, should be distributed in soups, rice, potatoes, or other
substitutes. Your Committee are of opinion, that if this regulation was generally
adopted, it would not only, in a very great degree, contribute to economize at this
:ime the consumption of Flour, but that it might have the effect of gradually intro-
Jucing into use, a more wholesome and nutritious species of food than that to
which the poor are at present accustomed.” Reports, 1x. p. 68.
8 4] G. ITl. ¢. 3. The Committee anticipated the following results from this
measure, “The quantity of Wheat which will be saved for Food by the pro-
hibition of the manufacture of Starch from that Grain, will be about 40,000
quarters. In consequence of the stoppage of the Distilleries, at least 500,000
quarters of Barley, which would have been consumed in that manufacture, will
remain applicable to the subsistence of the People; but as it may be supposed
that eleven bushels of Barley are not more than equivalent to one quarter of
Wheat, this can only be stated at 360,000 quarters.” Reports, 1x. p. 126.
4 The King, in answer to an address on the subject from the two Houses of
Parliament, issued a proclamation ‘most earnestly exhorting and charging all
£10
