This ground has been turned up but once The aspect
of it is nearly south, on a declivity of the river, or arm of the sea,
on which Rose Hill stands.
It was cleared of wood about nine months ago,
and sown this year for the first time.
[*I have received a letter from Port Jackson, dated in April 1792,
which states that the crop of wheat turned out fifteen bushels,
and the maize rather more than forty bushels.]
December 8th. Went this morning to the farm of Christopher Magee,
a convict settler, nearly opposite to that of Mr. Scheffen. 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. At the expiration of ten years, an annual quit-rent
of one shilling shall be paid by the occupier in acknowledgment."
[*See the state of this farm in my former Rose Hill journal
of November 1790, thirteen months before.]
Ruse now lives in a comfortable brick house, built for him by the governor.
He has eleven acres and a half in cultivation, and several more
which have been cleared by convicts in their leisure hours, on condition
of receiving the first year's crop. He means to cultivate little
besides maize; wheat is so much less productive. Of the culture of vineyards
and tobacco he is ignorant; and, with great good sense, he declared
that he would not quit the path he knew, for an uncertainty.
His livestock consists of four breeding sows and thirty fowls.
He has been taken from the store (that is, has supplied himself
with provisions) for some months past; and his wife is to be taken off
at Christmas, at which time, if he deems himself able to maintain
a convict labourer, one is to be given to him.
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