But I was given to believe, that I
might see it myself immediately on entering Piedmont. As this would
require but about three weeks, I determined to go, and ascertain this
point; as the chance only of placing our rice above all rivalship in
quality, as it is in color, by the introduction of a better machine, if
a better existed, seemed to justify the application of that much time to
it. I found the rice country to be in truth Lombardy, one hundred miles
further than had been represented, and that though called Piedmont rice,
not a grain is made in the country of Piedmont. I passed through the
rice-fields of the Vercellese and Milanese, about sixty miles, and
returned from thence last night, having found that the machine is
absolutely the same as ours, and of course, that we need not listen more
to that suggestion. It is a difference in the species of grain; of which
the government of Turin is so sensible, that, as I was informed, they
prohibit the exportation of rough rice, on pain of death. I have taken
measures, however, which I think will not fail, for obtaining a quantity
of it, and I bought on the spot a small parcel, which I have with me.
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