The Situation
Of This Farm Is Very Eligible, Provided The River In Floods Does Not
Inundate It, Which I Think Doubtful.
This man was bred to husbandry,
and lived eight years in America; he has no less than eight acres
in cultivation, five and a half in maize, one in wheat, and one and a half
in tobacco.
From the wheat he does not expect more than ten bushels,
but he is extravagant enough to rate the produce of maize at 100 bushels
(perhaps he may get fifty); on tobacco he means to go largely hereafter.
He began to clear this ground in April, but did not settle until last July.
I asked by what means he had been able to accomplish so much? He answered,
"By industry, and by hiring all the convicts I could get to work
in their leisure hours, besides some little assistance which the governor
has occasionally thrown in." His greatest impediment is want of water,
being obliged to fetch all he uses more than half a mile. He sunk a well,
and found water, but it was brackish and not fit to drink. If this man
shall continue in habits of industry and sobriety, I think him sure
of succeeding.
Reached Ruse's farm,* and begged to look at his grant, the material part
of which runs thus: "A lot of thirty acres, to be called Experiment Farm;
the said lot to be holden, free of all taxes, quit-rents, &c. for ten years,
provided that the occupier, his heirs or assigns, shall reside within the same,
and proceed to the improvement thereof; reserving, however, for the use
of the crown, all timber now growing, or which hereafter shall grow,
fit for naval purposes.
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