Philosophical transactions, Vol. L. Part I. For the year 1757.: Giving some account of the present undertakings, studies, and labours, of the ingenious, in many considerable parts of the world.Various
History
Philosophical transactions, Vol. L. Part I. For the year 1757.: Giving some account of the present undertakings, studies, and labours, of the ingenious, in many considerable parts of the world.
Various
Science -- Periodicals
Again, I compute, that in my parish there are killed annually 160
fat hogs, _viz._ above one to three persons; and that this humour of
pig-killing prevails over half of England at least, and is in some
measure indulged in all parts. Now we will suppose, that there are but
six millions of people in the nation, and that what is killed in the
northern half makes up for what is deficient by reason of towns in the
southern half; we must from hence conclude, that a million of fat hogs
are killed in England every year. Now one hog with another takes two
quarters of corn, sometimes barley, sometimes pease: if we put half
barley, we shall be under the truth. And here we shall have a million
quarters of barley, not only to balance the exportation of wheat, but
also to be equivalent to, as much bread-corn as will maintain a full
million of people.
Farther, it is well known, that the greatest part of the corn-trade
is, of late years, got into the hands of millers: and it has been
whispered about for a considerable time, and, I think, now the millers
do not deny it, that _some_ whiting is carried to all the great mills.
The excuse alleged for it is, that it makes the flour _wet_, and
consequently _bake_, the better. I am rather inclined to be of opinion,
that it is to give a colour to something that wants colour. And indeed,
who-ever tastes the common bakers bread against a piece of genuine
wheat-bread, will have some reason to suspect, that all is not gold,
that glitters. Every body knows, that the millers buy large quantities
of barley and pease, they say, to fat hogs: but then they have pollard,
middlings, _&c._ to fat them with; and so may possibly mix the barley
and pease with wheat to grind. But as this is all surmise, I would have
no more weight laid upon it than it deserves.
The next article is of the same nature; I mean, something of a mystery
in trade; and therefore to be touched very gently. What I would hint
is, that it is the opinion of many very intelligent persons, that a
good deal of malt is made, which does not pay the excise. I do not
pretend to ascertain the quantity: perhaps one eighth may not be an
extravagant supposition. And if this be the case, we shall find as much
barley, as will weigh against bread for half a million of people.
But here, in all probability, you will object, that if all these
articles be admitted, we shall make the number of people near eleven
millions; which is undoubtedly too much. I am ready to grant it. And
here, if I might take the liberty to speak my mind, I think, that the
allowance of one quarter of wheat to three persons is too scanty,
and must quite starve the poor, whose chief provision is bread: and
therefore, two persons to a quarter may be pretty near the truth. And
then the numbers will stand thus:
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