128 TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 



Good Hope, it may be presusned tlie demands for it will yet in- 

 crease. The farmers of St. Helena might therefore, by means of 

 industrious habits, and a proper course of husbandry, obtain from 

 these new sources, a return equivalent to 17,000 pounds sterling 

 annually from one crop, exclusive of what they derive from their 

 cattle, and potatoes, and other articles of farm produce. From 

 this concise view of our home consumption, and the prospect of 

 export, it must be obvious, that no farmers in the world can pos- 

 sibly have a stronger incitement to exertion, than those of St. 

 Helena : for they are at all times, assured of a ready sale, and 

 even more than a reasonable price, for all their products. If then 

 they would only strive to be purveyors to the population, instead 

 of allowing the whole to be buyers, of flour, malt, pork, &c., 

 imported here, it requires no uncommon degree of penetration to 

 discover that a vast improvement would soon take place in their 

 condition.* 



To these objects I would therefore recommend the capital and 

 industry of the island being employed. Some persons here may 

 possibly consider that the plans recommended are upon too grand 

 a scale ; but I will ask them. What are 700 acres of cultivation 

 in the hands of a few English farmers ? — Lord Karnes, in his 

 " Gentleman Farmer," has stated, (in page 292) " I will venture 

 to say that in most soils, fifty acres of corn may be commanded 

 by a single plough ; provided the crops be distributed through 

 the year, to afford time for managing all of them with the same 

 men and cattle." According to this estimate, which I believe is 

 generally admitted to be correct, in England and Scotland, the 



* It is true that flour and malt cnn be conveniently imported from other countries : 

 but surely it is an object of the first importance to promote the prosperity of the land- 

 holders. This can never be effected whilst all their scanty earnings are expended on 

 foreign produce. Such has been, and is, the practice at St. Helena. 



