TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 101 



cultivation they have been always reimbuised the whole expense 

 by the first year's produce." 



Is it possible to imagine, in any country, a greater incitement 

 to industry, and to extensive agriculture ? — Or can there possibly 

 be a stronger proof of the fertility of the soil, and of the certain 

 advantages that are within the reach of every industrious land- 

 holder? It has long been my belief that nothing but common 

 exertion, and a proper system of farming, are wanting to make 

 St Helena productive of almost every necessary of life for its inha- 

 bitants. There are at least two or three thousand acres of excel- 

 lent land capable of the highest degree of improvement, which 

 might be appropriated to this laudable purpose ; and as I have 

 already observed, that two crops a year are attainable from those 

 lands, they would be in fact equivalent to almost double that 

 extent in the northern climates. The following detail of experi- 

 ments will tend to illustrate these observations. 



Green Fodder from Oats. 



On the 5th of February last, some oats of a long thin sort, 

 received from the Cape of Good Hope, which weighed no more 

 than 31 pounds per bushel, were ploughed in upon about two 

 acres of some good land at Plantation-house, at the rate of two 

 bushels per acre. They were later in coming up than usual, on 

 account of there having been very little rain — for it was not until 

 the 20th that a good many of the young plants appeared. Some 

 fine showers however, early in March, succeeded by heavy rains 

 during the remainder of that month, speedily gave the crop a 

 very exuberant appearance : — By the 6th of April a few ears were 

 seen ; and on that day, after a lapse of two months from putting 

 the seed in the ground, we began to cut the crop for the purpose 

 of green fodder. Mr. Brearne, an experienced Norfolk farmer. 



