Volume 66: Macarthur family correspondence relating to land, 1819-1881: No. 020
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[Page 20]
full encouragement that was originally promised, and to the possession of property sufficiently extensive to establish and perfect the growth of Merino wool, and the cultivation of the Vine & Olive in which he has recently engaged.
Under a belief that a most valuable export might be obtained, the returns of which would increase the demand for labour, and gradually prepare the Colonists to depend upon their own exertions, he has, for several years, exerted himself to diffuse the fine woolled sheep throughout the Country, and to provide a regular supply for industrious settlers.
His own flocks have been, during a considerable time, stationary at Seven Thousand, and beyond this number it is not possible to advance, even with his present means of supporting them; whilst the reduction of these facilities in the present stage of their progress, would wholly frustrate the regular system it has been found necessary to adopt for the improvement of the breed. For altho' the introduction of artificial grasses may enable the agriculturist to support, upon the same extent of soil, a greater number of sheep than it is capable of maintaining in its natural state, yet the previous necessity of clearing and cultivating the land, a most expensive and laborious operation in a new country, must always render such an undertaking slow & progressive.
And