286 Agricultural and Land produce of Shoa. [No. 148. 



is used for the conveyance of all articles, and its peculiar softness may 

 be attributed to the astringent qualities of the plant " keemit," with 

 which it is tanned. 



96. On account of the steepness and ruggedness of the ground, the 

 patient ass is chiefly employed in carrying burdens, which are invari- 

 ably packed up in skins, and roughly tied with thongs on the bare 

 back, producing sores and ulcers during the very first stage. The ass 

 is small, hardy, and very frequently of a piebald color. His lot is 

 the same here as in more favored spots of the globe, having to perform 

 the greatest quantum of labour on the least supply of food possible, 

 and the animal must remain in bondage and dreary work among the 

 mountains, until Amhara courage be sufficiently pitched to attempt 

 the subjection of the elephant, whose strength and docility would 

 point him out to any but such a race, as the animal of burden, reared 

 by nature in these parts for the express purpose of transport. The re- 

 mainder of the farm stock consists of a few fowls, which are allowed to 

 nestle in the interior of the domicile. Although guinea fowls run 

 wild in every copse, no attempt has ever been made to domesticate this 

 useful breed, and pigs and ducks being held impure by these Jew- 

 Christians, are nowhere to be seen in their reclaimed state. 



97- The hay is cut with a sickle in October, before the grass be- 

 comes withered, and after being well dried is heaped in stacks on 

 the fields ; but although clover, trefoil, and many other nutritious 

 grasses grown wild in many situations, and the natives are fully 

 aware of their nourishing qualities, and confess that it would be most 

 desirable to obtain a permanent supply, yet the coarse meadow grass 

 is allowed to remain in the state, in which nature originally covered 

 the field, affording another striking proof of the slowness with which 

 uncivilized man admits of any improvement when contrary to ancient 

 habit and custom. 



98. There is little known or attended to in fattening of cattle for 

 slaughter ; those intended for the royal table alone have a portion of 

 salt mixed with their fodder, as also the large breed of Galla sheep 

 kept for the like purpose are for a short time fed on roasted barley ; but 

 otherwise, the meanness of the national character is fully displayed in 

 choosing the leanest of the herd for consumption, and the craving of 

 the savage is satisfied by the quantity of raw flesh without any refer- 



