the before-mentioned period, or rather in thirty days, for only that number have the convicts worked.  He said it was too late to plant maize, and therefore he should sow turnips, which would help to meliorate and prepare it for next year.  On examining the soil, I thought it in general light, though in some places loamy to the touch.  He means to try the Rose Hill ‘marle’ upon it, with which he thinks it will incorporate well.  I hope it will succeed better than the experiment in the governor’s garden.  I wished to know whether he had chosen this ground simply from the conveniency of its situation to Rose Hill, and its easy form for tillage, and having water, or from any marks which he had thought indicated good soil.  He said that what I had mentioned no doubt weighed with him, and that he judged the soil to be good, from the limbs of many of the trees growing on it being covered with moss.

“Are,” said I, “your 500 men still complete?”

“No; this day’s muster gave only 460.  The rest are either sick and removed to the hospital, or are run away in the woods.”

“How much is each labourer’s daily task?”

“Seven rods.  It was eight, but on their representing to the governor that it was beyond their strength to execute, he took off one.”

Thirteen large huts, similar to those beforementioned, contain all the people here.  To every hut are appointed two men, as hutkeepers, whose only employment is to watch the huts in working hours to prevent them from being robbed.  This has somewhat checked depredations, and those endless complaints of the convicts that they could not work because they had nothing to eat, their allowance being stolen.  The working hours at this season (summer) are from five o’clock in the morning until ten; rest from ten to two; return to work at two; and continue till sunset.  This surely cannot be called very severe toil; but on the other hand must be remembered the inadequacy of a ration of salt provisions, with few vegetables, and unassisted by any liquor but water.

Here finished my remarks on every thing of a public nature at Rose Hill.  But having sufficient time, I determined to visit all the private settlers to inspect their labours, and learn from them their schemes, their hopes and expectations.

In pursuance of my resolution, I crossed the country to Prospect Hill, at the bottom of which live the following thirteen convicts, who have accepted allotments of ground, and are become settlers.

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