TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. .39 



feeding man and livestock, would soon lead to a more extensive 

 culture. In a year or two the inhabitants would thus become far 

 less dependent on foreign imports ; and the potatoe culture upon 

 an enlarged scale, would also enable the landholders to give a 

 portion to their cattle, at those times when they are much reduced 

 by the impoverished state of the pastures ; by this the lives of 

 many might be saved during an unfavourable season. But the 

 more effectually to guard against the fatal consequences that may 

 justly be apprehended from a dry season, under the present 

 management of cattle, I cannot too strongly recommend the 

 expediency of alternate crops of potatoes and corn : the latter 

 might be raised as at the Cape of Good Hope, either as a dry or 

 green fodder ; and of which there might always be a certain 

 supply particularly when the rains have only partially failed : 

 this was most clearly proved in February and November, 1810, 

 as will appear from what is stated in page 28* of the printed 

 Laws and Ordinances, and in pages 51 f and 76% of the Goat 

 papers. 



Further advantages would result from the alternate crops of 

 potatoes and corn, since they would preserve the lands in good 

 heart ; and if some attention were paid to manuring, it would 

 prevent them being exhausted, and becoming unprofitable, 

 which they often have been by continually repeating the potatoe 

 crops. It is, moreover, the opinion of eminent agriculturists 



* February 28th, 1810. " The Wheat sown on the 9th of November is now in full 

 " ear; the grass at present is much burnt up. Fodder of Wheat, Barley, or Oats, 

 " would be very serviceable. ' 



t " The Guinea Grass is likely to do wonders here : some looked green and beau- 

 " tiful during some very dry weatlier, which burnt up all the grass around it." 



J " On the 29th of November 1810, it was ascertained, that one acre of Green Oats, 

 " yielded at this season of the year more nourishment for Cattle, than any one 

 " HUNDRED acres of the Long Wood pastures." 



