( 351 ) 



would sell for at least as much. Thus in Brazil, land and cows are of little 

 value, and their produce is extravagantly dear. Is their milk not so good as that 

 of any country in Europe ? Equally so. Does it not yield as much cream ? As 

 much and as good as I ever witnessed any where. Then is the heat of the 

 climate an obstacle ? None, certainly, if proper conveniences were made. The 

 winter in England is much more unfavourable for dairy operations than the hot 

 weather in Santa Cruz. Then it%ay be said, they give but little milk ; — it is 

 impossible that they should give more under such treatment. But to make this 

 an object of profit, an entirely contrary system must be adopted, founded on 

 rational principles and pursued with industry, and not the offspring of ignorance, 

 idleness, and folly. Females ought alone to be employed in every thing relative 

 to the dairy and milking ; at present, that and other operations are performed by 

 the most useful men on the estate. If good roads were made, and a proper 

 number of carts and draught cattle were provided, comparatively few men would 

 be required to till the land, keep it in cultivation, take care of the cows, feed 

 oxen, &c. 



The next object would be a proper building for a dairy, replete with all the 

 requisite utensils and conveniences *, and under the superintendance of a person 

 conversant with the business, whether in the form of a Commendador or a military 

 officer it is of little importance. If he know his duty, he ought to be without 

 control, and depend upon his credit in whatever relates to it ; if he be ignorant of 

 his duty, why place him there ? A courtier has very different views and habits to 

 a farmer, and no one would ever think of entrusting the management of a farm '"^ 

 to such a person. 



I did not introduce the making of cheese at Santa Cruz for reasons best known 

 to myself. This branch of rural oeconomy, and that before mentioned, are 

 objects of importance, if profit alone be considered ; but they are still more so, 

 as tending to give an example to the whole empire. How worthy it would be of 

 the greatness of the Sovereign to make his farm the school from which his sub- 

 jects might learn new modes of agriculture, the place to which intelligent strangers 

 from all countries would be encouraged to resort, and to contribute useful infor- 

 mation. Communications might be opened with the Cape, Ceylon, India, and 

 other parts of the world, from which the greatest benefits would result to the 

 subjects as well as to the state. 



* For this purpose a central situation should be chosen, where cellars could be formed of suf- 

 ,;j^cient capacity, and every practicable means used to obtain a circulation of air, and as much as 

 possible to exclude heat. 



