<P> In the same letter he asks about the prices of flax and hemp, with a view to their production: </P> <P> In order thereto you woud do me a singular favour in advising of the general price one might expect for good Hemp in your Port watered and prepared according to Act of Parliament, with an estimate of the freight, and all other Incident charges pr . Tonn that I may form some Idea of the profits resulting from the growth . I should be very glad to know at the sametime how rough and undressd Flax has generally, and may probably sell; for this year I have made an Essay in both, and altho I suffer pretty considerably by the attempt, owing principally to the severity of the Drougth (sic), and my inexperience in the management I am not altogether discouraged from a further prosecution of the Scheme provided I find the Sales with you are not clogd with too much difficulty and expence . </P> <P> The tobacco market had declined and many planters in northern Virginia converted to mixed crops . Like them, by 1766 Washington had ceased growing tobacco at Mount Vernon and replaced the crop with wheat, corn, and other grains . Besides hemp and flax, he experimented with 60 other crops including cotton and silk . He also derived income from a new gristmill which produced cornmeal and flour for export and also ground neighbors' grain for fees . Washington similarly sold the services of the estate's looms and blacksmith . He built and operated a small fishing fleet, permitting Mount Vernon to export fish . Washington also practiced the selective breeding of sheep in an effort to produce better quality wool . </P> <P> The new crops were less labor - intensive than tobacco; hence, the estate had a surplus of slaves . But Washington refused to break up families for sale . Washington began to hire skilled indentured servants from Europe to train the redundant slaves for service on and off the estate . Following his service in the war, Washington returned to Mount Vernon and in 1785--1786 spent a great deal of effort improving the landscaping of the estate . It is estimated that during his two terms as President of the United States (1789--1797), Washington spent a total of 434 days in residence at Mount Vernon . After his presidency, Washington tended to repairs to the buildings, socializing, and further gardening . </P>

Who established an experimental farm at mount vernon