s. 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 littl