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Birthplace
Overview
TCH Hist Stat –
Nova Scotia
Farmland
NS Soil Types
NS Farmland
Halifax’s
Farmland
Dartmouth’s
Farmland
NS Orchards
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Halifax’s Farmland
by Thomas Chandler Haliburton
An Excerpt From –
An Historical and Statistical Account of Nova Scotia
Pub 1829
… The Peninsula upon which Halifax is built is formed by Chebucto harbour,
and the North West Arm, an inlet of the sea, which extends in the rear
of the town to within a mile and a half of the Bedford Basin. This tract
of land contains about three thousand acres each, with the exception of
240 acres, reserved for a common. To promote the cultivation of these
allotments, an excise duty was imposed upon all spiritous liquors consumed
in the Province, out of which a bounty of 20 shillings was apid for every
acre of ground cleared and enclosed. The inhabotants, stimulated by encouragement,
prepared, within a short time, two hundred lots, or more than one thousand
acres, for the reception of grain, and protected them with substantial
wooden fences; but an accidental fire spreading over the whole surface,
consumed the pickets, and the decayed vegetable substances with which
the land was covered. The sterile and stony nature of the soil was thus
exhibited to view, and the settlers, disappointed and discouraged, desisted
for many years, from making any further attempts at cultivation. At a
subsequent period, Governor Lawrence, finding the inhabitants were under
the necessity of importing hay from Massachusetts at exorbitant prices,
prevailed upon the Legislature to offer a bounty on hay raised upon the
Peninsula, and upon the erection of stone walls. In consequence of this
act, the attempt was again made, and in 1762, 70 acres were brought into
a state of cultivation, at an expense of twenty-two pounds ten shillings
per acre. Since that time and especially within the last twenty years
[1809 – 1829], the greater part of the land in the vicinity of the Capital,
has been enclosed in stone walls, and rendered more productive than any
other upland in Nova-Scotia [Nova Scotia]. It is therefore in much better
accordance with the natural beauty of the environs of the town …
Excerpt From –
An Historical and Statistical Account of Nova Scotia
In two volumes. Illustrated by a map of the province, and several engravings.
By Thomas C. Haliburton, Esq.
Barrister at Law and Member of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia
[originally] Printed and Published by Joseph Howe, Halifax 1829
Edition consulted – Candiana Reprint Series No. 51
Mika Publishing Belleville, Ontario 1973
Vol 2 Pg 21 – 22
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