lSi8.] 



The Neilglierry Mountains. 



23 



tribes, and also, as it appears to me, in some measure to the want of 

 hands to till them — a deficiency which would however be speedily 

 remedied by immigration from Mysore and the plains around. In 

 fact were it not for the assumption of absolute right over all the 

 lands, waste and cultivated, which are situated on the plateau of these 

 Hills, by the Todars, Burghers, and Kothers, there is no doubt that 

 many low country people, whoScame up here seeking employment as 

 Coolies, would form settlements and permanently locate themselves 

 wherever they could obtain possession of land to bring under culti- 

 vation. Should Government at any future time see tit to create an 

 establishment on these Hills for the manufacture of beer, it would be 

 very advisable, and indeed in the first instance 



Advisability of estab' 



lishing a Govern- almost indispensable, to connect with it a Go- 



inent farm, for the 



purpose of promot- vernment farm, to serve as a model for the in- 



iug and improving . • i i i i i 



the cultivation of troduction of improvements in husbandry, both 



wheat and barley. . j i. i i i • *i i j 



in regard to ploughing and dressing the land, 

 and in the preparation of good manure, a department of the farmer's 

 profession of which the Hill agriculturists appear to have no know- 

 ledge whatever. Good seed must be sent from England and distri- 

 buted amongst the Burghers, upon whose exertions the stimulus of 

 a premium, in the shape of a higher price for barley of a superior 

 description, would doubtless soon produce a beneficial eff'ect, while 

 imitation of the system pursued by the employes of Government in 

 the management of the farm lands would also, it is supposed, lead to 

 the adoption of more civilized notions and practice of agriculture than 

 are now to be found prevailing in any part of this rich, but ill appre- 

 ^ , , ciated. Hill tract. In this climate Europeans 



Europeans can labour ' ^ 



M V might with perfect safety as regards their health, 



the Neilghemes. or j q > 



go through all the out of doors labour which falls 



to the lot of farming men in England. They do so in New Zealand 

 and Port Adelaide where the climate is unquestionably less temperate 

 than here, and as on the Neilgherries the actual exertion of European 

 bodily strength would only be required at particular seasons of the 

 farming year, such as in the direction of the plough and the use of 

 the scythe, while superintendence and instruction of the Native la-= 

 bourers would alone be required, on the part of a European, in con- 

 ducting the minor details of a farm, I cannot but think that in many 

 respects a far finer field is ofi"ered on these Hills to the emigrant 

 farmer from home, than is met with by the many who flock to the 

 Australian settlements* 



