x 79^] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



The ground cleared of timber for the public ufe, and that marked 

 out for the fettlers' lots, comprifed one half of the ifland. Molt of 

 that cleared of timber was under cultivation in 1793 and 1794, and 

 produced above thirty-four thoufand buftiels of grain ; but from the 

 fudden and effectual check given to private induftry during the latter 

 year, and the great proportion of the labourers working for their own 

 fupport, and otherwife difpofed of, not more than a third of the 

 government-ground, and a fifth of that belonging to individuals, was 

 in a ftate of cultivation during the la ft year. That proportion of the 

 ground fo neglected became over-run with rank and ftrong weeds, 

 which formed a great cover to the numerous rats ; befide that the in- 

 jury done to the foil by the growth of thefe weeds was very much to 

 be deplored. The humane attention, however, fhewn to the wants 

 of the induftrious individual by Governor Hunter, in directing the 

 maize bills to be paid, it was hoped, would not only relieve many de- 

 ferring people, but alfo revive that fpirit of induftry which the fettlers 

 had in general manifefted. 



Cultivation was confined to maize, wheat, potatoes, and other 

 garden-vegetables. The heat of the climate, occafional droughts, and 

 blighting winds, rendered wheat an uncertain crop : The harvefts of 

 maize were conftant, certain, and plentiful ; and two crops were gene- 

 rally procured in twelve months. The produce of one crop might 

 be averaged at forty-five bufhels per acre, and many had yielded from 

 feventy to eighty. 



By the ftatement before given it appears, that there were five thou- 

 fand two hundred and forty-feven acres occupied, of which only one 

 thoufand five hundred and twenty-eight were cleared of timber : that 

 there alfo remained five thoufand feven hundred and fifty-three neither 

 occupied nor cleared, making in the whole nine thoufand four hundred 

 and feventy-two acres not cleared of timber. If fix thoufand of the 

 nine thoufand four hundred and feven-two acres not cleared, could be 

 put under cultivation in addition to the one thoufand five hundred and 

 twenty-eight already cleared of timber, its produce at one crop only 



x x and 



