80 TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 



hope of its arriving at maturity ; but in making experiments with 

 a view of acquiring knowledge, all seasons should be tried. The 

 proper season, however, for sowing is about July or the middle 

 of August, as the crop would arrive at maturity in December, 

 when the weather is usually dry and warm ; but if intended to 

 be cut as a green fodder, to meet the low state of the grass lands 

 in the month of March, I should prefer sowing about the begin- 

 ning of November, and cutting it whilst green, which would 

 secure the after crops ; because if cut in the dry season of the 

 vear, when in a perfect state of ripeness, the sap in the stems, 

 being wholly evaporated, it would require a considerable deal of 

 rain to carry on the process of further vegetation. 



The following extract from my journal was written at the 

 moment I was under this impression ; it relates to another 

 experiment. 



February 28th, 1810 — " The wheat sown on the 9th of Novem- 

 ber is now in full ear, both in the seed-bed and in the adjoining 

 plot, to which some had been transplanted on the 20th of Decem- 

 ber. This experiment is very satisfactory ; it proves, how very 

 advantageous, at this dry season, it would be to have green crops 

 of wheat, barley, and oats, with a view of averting the fatal con- 

 sequences of a dry season. The grass at present is much burnt 

 up ; and the cattle begin to feel the effect of the drought. Fodder 

 of wheat, barley, or oats, would be very serviceable; and might 

 be had in succession, by sowing the seed during the months of 

 October and November." 



In the course of my observations upon the opinions of the land- 

 holders respecting the extermination of the goats, as well as in 

 a minute, and some notes published in the Laws and Ordinances, 

 I have given such hints for the improvement of the island as I 

 can with confidence recommend, because they are the result of 



