TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 77 



SECTION XIII. 



Notes of Experiments in the Culture of Wheat, Barley, and Oats — green 

 Crops of Fodder recommended — Suggestions for the Improvement of the 

 Pasture Lands — Evil Effects of Feeding a Population — Com,parison of 

 Exports from the Farms in \1S^ and \S09. — Plans suggested for im- 

 proving the Island* 



jLjXperiments at Plantation-house Farm, and at Long Wood, 

 have not merely decided the practicability of raising all kinds of 

 corn at St. Helena ; but have proved that the introduction of 

 agriculture would be highly advantageous to the land-holders. 

 Their wheat and barley would be in constant demand for baking 

 and brewing ; their oats for feeding horses, poultry, &c. ; and 

 whilst their lands are producing these necessary supplies, the 

 large quantities of straw from the first crops, as well as from 

 after-cuttings, would be an acceptable and nutritious fodder for 

 cattle, especially at those times when the grass is low — or when 

 a disappointment in rain has happened. It is therefore evident 

 that the idea which has been long entertained by many persons 

 " that agriculture in St. Helena would diminish the sustenance 

 for cattle," is very erroneous. So far from decreasing, it will be 

 found that it would be the very best means of augmenting 

 that sustenance — and, consequently, this island might be made 

 to support a much greater number of cattle than has ever been 

 upon it — for experiments have proved, that a single acre of wheat, 

 barley, or oats, throughout the year, if used as a green fodder, 



* This paper was printed for the information of the landholders, in the month of 

 November 1810. 



