IMPROVEMENTS IN CANADA. • ]$ 



ment settled there, and more particularly so with those of 

 this description in our mother country ; and though there > 

 are so many millions of acres so well calculated to the 

 growth of this highly valuable article, yet 1 do not expect 

 much progress therein for some time, for the following rea- 

 sons. 



The part of the country the best calculated for the Obstacles to its 

 growth of hemp is so lately and in so small a degree occu- mtr0 uctlon * 

 pied, that few have begun to use the plough, but depend 

 upon raising a sufficiency of grain by harrowing only ; in 

 this they are not disappointed for two or three crops ; — in 

 the mean time they clear away fresh fields from the woods, 

 many of them to a large extent, which take up so much 

 time in fencing and dressing, that few of the farmers have 

 been able to raise more than needful for their own families' 

 consumptipn, and for the use of their neighbours; indeed 

 they are ignorant as to the growth and management of 

 hemp, and in general so poor, that they cannot afford to 

 raise any thing for sale that will not bring them ready mo- 

 ney as soon as brought to market ; and grain brings such a 

 high price in cash, that few farmers are inclined to turn 

 their attention to any other article. Another obstacle is, 

 there being no person or persons appointed to buy small 

 quantities of hemp, and pay ready money for the same. 



The tract of rich hemp land in Upper Canada is that Tract of rich 

 part west of Yonge Street*, and north of Dundas Street f, hemp iand ' 

 and partly enclosed by lakes Ontario, St. Clair, Huron, and 

 Simcoe, and to the east and north-east almost as far as 

 Grand or Ottaway River, and to within a few miles of the 

 south and south-east side of lake Huron. I have not failed 

 to make annually from one to three journeys through this 

 tract ; I have crossed it in all directions with Indian guides, 

 great part of which no white man, except myself, has ever 

 set foot in ; and I rind, that the chief of the interior part 

 consists of a rich deep black soil, which I am well con- 

 vinced, when well inhabited with farmers, will become one 



* A street leading from York, the seat of government, to the naviga-. 

 b!e waters of Lake Simcoe. 



t Leading to the Riyer Thames. 



C 2 of 



