254 Agricultural and Land produce of Shoa. QNo. 148. 



2. In a populous country where there are no wild animals to fill 

 up the deficiency, and but few spontaneous fruits to mitigate the pangs 

 of hunger; and where the search for wild roots would prove but an 

 unprofitable labour, the pursuit of agriculture must necessarily be 

 deemed of high importance, and carried to that point which places 

 the nation in a state of comparative plenty ; but there is a wide gap 

 to be filled up between this period and the time when those causes 

 are developed, which render agriculture purely commercial, and Abys- 

 sinia remains at present in this lethargic position. 



•3. Still she has emerged considerably from that state of society 

 which is denominated barbarian, and elevated far above the hunting 

 or savage, by the power of taming and subjecting the lower animals, 

 and by practising a species of agriculture, to which the fertility of the 

 soil has hitherto granted an abundant return. The extent of cultivation 

 also is very considerable throughout the kingdom, and this important 

 branch of industry has progressed far beyond any art hitherto disco- 

 vered amongst the nations on the western coast. 



4. Private property in the land is everywhere sanctioned, allow- 

 ed and established ; there are few forests or wastes, excepting those 

 impracticable for pasture or cultivation. Farm-steadings and indivi- 

 dual dwelling houses embellish the aspect of the landscape, reposing 

 secure from predatory bands, or hostile neighbours ; and although a 

 great part of the population is collected in towns and large villages, 

 yet the country is also abundantly inhabited. The processes of pre- 

 paring the ground are somewhat complex ; the plough is in use to the 

 exclusion of the African hoe, and considerable industry is evinced in 

 collecting and distributing the waters in artificial irrigation. The 

 grains which on the other coast are coarse and small, rather like 

 seeds than grain, and fitted less for bread than pottage, are here of 

 a large and full pickle, and in every variety. The people are possess- 

 ed of a written language, and the king of the country inhabits stone 

 houses, which rise two stories above his fortifications. 



5. Unburdened by an over-population, and possessed of a fertile 

 soil and favourable seasons, in the absence of all luxuries a sufficient 

 abundance is produced for the mere maintenance of life. Yet still 

 the science of husbandry is little understood, the implements of culture 

 are few, and of the rudest construction ; the various methods of assist- 



