190 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [December, 



At this time the quantity of land which had paffed to fettlers in 

 the territory under the feal of the colony, amounted to 3470 acres ; 

 of which quantity 470 were in cultivation, and the timber cleared 

 from 100 more, ready for fowing ; which, when it is confidered that 

 many of the fettlers had begun to cultivate fince 1 79 1 , and compared 

 with the public ground in cultivation, will prove that moft of them 

 had not been idle ; indeed, on its being hinted to fome of them that 

 they had not always been fo diligent when labouring for the whole — 

 Ct We are now working for ourfelves," was the reply. One material 

 good was, however, to be expected from a tracl: of land of that ex- 

 tent being cultivated by individuals : if at any time an accident fhould 

 happen to the crop on the public ground, they might be a refource, 

 though an inconfiderable one. Fortunately, no misfortune of that 

 nature had ever yet fallen upon the colony ; though it had been, at 

 the beginning of December, very near experiencing a calamity that 

 would have blafted all the profpeQs of the next feafon, and in one 

 moment have rendered ineffectual the labour of many hands and of 

 many months. Two days after the wheat had been reaped, and got 

 off the ground at Toongabbe, the whole of the ftubble was burnt. 

 The day on which this happened had been unufually hot, and the 

 country was every where on fire. Had this befallen them while the 

 wheat was on the ground, nothing could have prevented the whole 

 from being deftroyed. From this circumftance, however, one good 

 refulted ; precautions againft a fimilar accident were immediately 

 taken, by clearing the timber for a certain diftance round the culti- 

 vated land. 



The flock belonging to the public was kept at Parramatta. It con- 

 fifted of three bulls, two bulh calves, fifteen cows, three calves, five 

 ftallions, fix mares, one hundred and five fheep, and forty- three hogs. 

 Of the fheep the Governor gave to each married fettler one ewe for 

 the purpofe of breeding; and to others he gave fuch female goats as 

 could be fpared. 



His 



