PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 



87 



one hundred and twenty thousand square miles, has no land devoluto, oi- un- 

 granted, although one- thirtieth part of it is not in a state of cultivation. Land 

 of course may be bought without a fine, but not generally. I had some con- 

 versation with a Portuguese gentleman, whose intention it was to obtain from 

 his Majesty a grant of land to the extent of two or three square leagues, 

 situated upon the northern bank of the river Parahiba ; but he could not have 

 placed more than two slaves upon it, and his avowed object was to retain it 

 under the anticipation of futurity producing him an advantage in the sale of it, 

 by portions or otherwise. The King is very liberal in granting land ; and 

 would, no doubt, afford encouragement for the agricultural improvement of 

 the country, and even during my short stay at Rio he supplied some indivi- 

 duals with slaves for the purpose of cultivation ; but the parsimonious feehng 

 and apathy which prevails will operate against any speedy change or im- 

 provement of the system. In the donation of lands, it would be wise to 

 attach a positive obligation to cultivate, or in a certain period either to revert to 

 the crown or be publicly disposed of to those who are competent, and intend 

 to work them; and further, to grant lands only in quantities proportioned to the 

 means the individual receiving them may possess of bringing them into a state of 

 culture; otherwise it would be infinitely better for the lands to remain with 

 the crown, thereby precluding the practice of retailing them out with a fine. 



That small quantities of land, when well cultivated, are, from the exuberance 

 of their productions, adequate to the maintenance, and even enrichment of a 

 family, where industry prevails, is amply demonstrated by the shacara of Bella 

 Fonta, consisting only of eight or ten acres, which is planted with African 

 grass, having a thick stem, and a long and broad lancet leaf, affording grass all the 

 year for daily cutting. When the circuit is made, and the point first commenced 

 at reached again, the grass is a second time in readiness, and so on. The 

 amount of this supply affords food for four horses and two bullocks, besides 

 a surplus conveyed to the city by the latter, producing twenty shillings per 

 week. The fruit trees, which beautify the walks that intersect the grounds, 

 together with a vegetable garden, yield beyond what is fully requisite for 

 domestic consumption, upwards of two hundred pounds a year more. It 

 may be said that this situation is near the capital and possesses advantages 

 which land more distant could not ; but that observation cannot apply to the 

 uncultivated tracts stretching along both sides of the bay, enjoying even a 

 greater facility of communication by water. 



There does not appear to be any great spirit of emigration from other states 



