1844.] Agricultural and Land produce of Shoa. 263 



28. In the valleys, teff, jewarree, cotton, oil and wheat follow in 

 succession. On the high country, barley and wheat in alternate seasons, 

 and in the cold moors of the table land, the ground is left fallow for 

 one year to recover itself, before a fresh crop be taken from the exhaust- 

 ed material. Every quality of soil, however, is not adapted to the 

 growth of wheat, nor would the crop arrive at maturity in every situa- 

 tion, owing to the bleakness of the elevation and the tempestuous blasts, 

 fogs, and vapours which cover the crest of these high mountains ; and 

 in these districts, peas, beans, and barley form the successive crops. 



29. On the table land, the best soil is of a rich brown color, which is 

 found on the sheltered sides of the hills, and the loamy alluvial deposit 

 running along the banks of the river. Black soil is rarely met with 

 on this mountains, and may probably be the decomposition of those 

 forests, which tradition gives as once existing in ancient days, but 

 of which now no other vestige remains. Stones are plentifully spread 

 over the surface of the field to break the fall of the heavy rains, and 

 compact walls are built on every slope, to prevent the soil from being 

 carried away by the impetuous rush of the water. 



30. In the valleys, and more especially in the governments of Ged- 

 dem and Geshe, the richest black soil prevails throughout, and with the 

 aid of a plentiful supply of water, and a mild genial climate, the val- 

 leys appear one continuous scene of the most luxurious cultivation of 

 all the produce known in Abyssinia. On the mountain sides the soil 

 is light, loose, and gravelly, and well adapted for the growth of coffee 

 and tea; besides granting a fair return of the various grains which 

 are deposited. Manure is difficult of conveyance, without the con- 

 venience of wheel carriages, which are entirely unknown in Shoa, and 

 with the exception of the ashes of the top paring, is seldom applied in 

 common cultivation, as it is fully believed that the cattle and sheep, 

 during their daily pasturage, afford a sufficiency of manure for all prac- 

 tical purposes. 



31. Artificial irrigation is resorted to in every situation where a 

 supply of water can be obtained without much trouble, and crops of 

 onions, chillies and gourds are grown in patches by the river sides, 

 where the water can be easily diverted from its bed. The king's 

 farms are in general, from their choice localities, well watered and 

 clearly cultivated; the slopes of the hills are admirably adapted for the 



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