96 SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 



nium maeulatum, Hyoscyamus niger, &c. would undoubtedly 

 be highly advantageous. The simple apparatus, described in 

 Arnot's Physics for Evaporation suh vacuo, might be adopt- 

 ed with great advantage, for preparing the extracts of these 

 and similar other plants,'now procured at great expense from 

 Europe. 



It appears extraordinary, that no enterprising individual 

 has thought of curing salt-provisions, on a large scale, on the 

 hills. The climate is undoubtedly favorable, and the cir- 

 cumstance of water-carriage being within 28 miles of the 

 Koondahs by the new pass and especially the extension of 

 the rail-roads, would facilitate the procuring the necessary 

 quantity of salt, as well as exporting the manufactured 

 article. Hams, tongues, briskets, humps, bacon, &c. of very 

 good quality, cured on the hills, are sold in considerable 

 quantity in the bazar, as well as prepared in private fami- 

 lies, for home consumption ; but it would require the assist- 

 ance of experienced persons to conduct it on a large scale. 

 The animals, (cattle and swine), might be procured, in 

 any quantity, in the low country round the hills, and might 

 be at first driven up as required, until a proper breeding and 

 grazing establishment were formed. 



I am hardly sufficient master of the subject to say whether 

 the breeding of horses might be advantageously pursued. 

 Even under the most favourable circumstances, this is a 

 precarious speculation ; but judging from the temper, spirits, 

 and condition of those which have been imported, they 

 thrive to admiration. 



Breeding cattle and sheep, is liable to the same objection 

 of uncertainty, but not to an equal extent, as the very fine 

 breed of buffaloes, found on the hills, is a proof that they can 

 be naturalized ; European sheep, require much care at first. 



