An Account of the State of Agriculture & Grazing in New South Wales; including Observations on the Soils and General Appearance of the Country, and some of its most useful Natural Productions; with an Account of the Various Methods of Clearing and Improving Lands, Breeding and Grazing Live Stock, Erecting Buildings, the System of employing convicts, and the expense of labour generally; The Modes of Applying for Grants of Land; with other Information. Crucial to those who are about to emigrate to that Country. The Result of several Years’ Residence and Practical Experience in those Matter in the Colony. Oblong 4to, 146pp., errata leaf, coloured folding frontispiece, and four aquatint plates, three in colour, original illustrated boards. In his preface, the author states that this work is in response to the many queries put to him on the present state of New South Wales and especially its agriculture and grazing. He decided to write it independently because of the many repetitious queries to find a comprehensive method of satisfying curiosity. His friends also persuaded him to write it as, notwithstanding many large volumes already published on the Colony, its rural and domestic economy was still comparatively unknown. The author’s experience and successful practice as a settler would enable him to supply the deficiency. Atkinson was one of the progressive farmers who tried to raise the efficiency of farming in New South Wales in writing and practice. This work emphasised the problems faced in adapting European plants, animals, and farming methods to a strange environment. Experience in Kentish farming and “the Agrarian Revolution” was his background. The Agricultural & Horticultural Society awarded Atkinson the Gold Medal for his “judicious and ably written treatise.” Coloured plates in order: 1. View of Port Jackson and part of the Town of Sydney...(folding plate). 2. An Exploring Party in New South Wales. 3. Party preparing to Bivouac. 4. Party Bivouac'd for the night. 5. [Large folding map] New South Wales.