TRACTS ON VARfOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 183 



mense, compared with what it now is. The Company have 

 agreed to purchase it at the rate of one shilling per pound : so 

 that for pork, there would be no want of a ready sale. Besides, 

 by the rearing of these useful animals, together with stall-feeding 

 of cattle, large quantities of excellent manure would soon be ob- 

 tained, by which, even the poorer lands might be brought into 

 a state of improvement, fit for the purpose of raising wheat. I 

 have, indeed, already had some exceeding fine specimens of this 

 corn, cultivated in good land, without manure. In short, proofs 

 are not wanting to establish, in the clearest manner, the certainty 

 of success : but, a total change of husbandry, and a proper appli- 

 cation of our manual labour, and of the muscular strength of ani- 

 mals, are absolutely necessary. By such means, I am confident, 

 that in the course of a few years, there would be effected a change 

 in the value of this island, which would be highly beneficial to 

 the interests of the Company as well as individuals. It might 

 lead to the most important consequences ; particularly if it should 

 be deemed expedient to convert St. Helena into a depot, or mart, 

 for Indian and China produce, a plan that has been more than 

 once suggested. 



20th August, 1812. 



