54 



CULTIVATION OE THE SUGAR CANE. 



instances of estates, upon which cattle never require to be 

 purchased. The proprietors reap the benefit of such wise 

 conduct, not only in being saved this great and increasing 

 outlay, but also in the greater amount of work performed by 

 their cattle. But these are, unfortunately, exceptions to the 

 general rule, and the necessity for the proper care of the 

 stock of an estate, cannot therefore be too strongly incul- 

 cated. They are the first and most indispensable requisite 

 of the agriculturist, and without them he can do nothing. 

 Every beast is a separate engine of force, which must be sep- 

 arately attended to, and all its wants carefully supplied ; and 

 the first and most important building on the estate, is the one 

 in which the stock are to be lodged. There is no occasion 

 for having a greater number of stock than the extent of the 

 cultivation requires ; but it will be the most economical, as 

 well as the most effective system, to house them entirely, 

 giving each animal its separate stall, well ventilated and 

 kept free from all filth — the stalls being so arranged that 

 all the excrements and litter can be swept into a common 

 receptacle, sunk below the level, which can be performed 

 by the persons at present employed to saunter about with 

 the cattle on the so-called pastures. In these stalls the 

 cattle should be fed at stated times, and an ample and 

 regular supply of food provided, by planting guinea or 

 para-grass. Moreover, all estates should produce sufficient 

 grain for the support of their working stock, and so save 

 the necessity of purchasing. 



The Psalmist, in praying for the prosperity of his people, 



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