172 -

A DISCOURSE

BOOK III.

places, young timber and copse-wood, which is yearly spent for poles,especially in countries where wood is very precious 8 , Note, That thewoodland measure, by statute,, is computed after eighteen feet theperch.

% Hops were introduced, about two centuries and a half ago, from Flanders, and fromthat time have been afsiduously cultivated in this kingdom. The duties arising from this-article are so considerable, that all public brewers are enjoined under a severe penalty touse no, other bitters for their malt liquors. In a year of moderate fertility, an acre of hopsis supposed to produce ten hundred weight, which may be estimated at three pounds per•hundred. Of this sum, one moiety goes clear into the pocket of the cultivator, and theother moiety is employed in the discharge of rent, tithe, and all other expences, except theduty by excise. It is computed that the duty, upon an average, amounts to 50,0001. perann. a sum too considerable to be lost by permitting other bitter herbs to be substituted inIbe place of hops.