COLONIAL POLICY. 301 



sure the settlers would find no difficulty in paying it. In the first 

 stages of the formation of the county, I am convinced the rate per 

 acre I have fixed would not be too high ; it is a question whether it 

 would be high enough, but it is usual to join several counties toge- 

 ther into a district, to which one court-house and jail suffices, until 

 the counties are rich enough to separate, and build their own esta- 

 blishments. This tax, together with all the lands at the disposal of 

 the crown, being open for purchase at one regular price, would deter 

 the speculator from holding his land in hopes of getting a better 

 price ; the annual outgoings would be considerable, and, without he 

 were a man of some capital, would not be met, I object to farmers 

 occupying so large a number of acres as they generally do ; there are 

 few farms in Upper Canada so small as one hundred acres, they are 

 generally of two hundred, and out of that large quantity it is rare to 

 see forty-five acres under cultivation. In my opinion, ordinarily they 

 should not exceed fifty acres ; forty-five, well cultivated, with five 

 acres left in reserve for fire-wood and other purposes, would be as 

 much as most farmers, with their families, could manage properly. 

 The annual tax, and the certain knowledge of being able, at a future 

 time, to purchase land at a reasonable rate for the farmer's rising 

 family, would induce him to consider such a farm large enough, As 

 it is, he says " Why should I not speculate in a small way upon the 

 improvements arising from my own exertions?" But, had he to pay 

 the tax, he would probably decide differently. However, none has 

 a better right to speculate in this manner than the resident farmer, 

 should he be so disposed. 



I remember meeting, on my way to Pennetanguishine (our naval 

 station upon Lake Huron, the road to which I can certainly call 

 abominable), with a respectable settler, possessed of some considerable 

 property, who informed me that he had established himself in that 

 district about fifteen years ago, in the expectation that his example 

 would be followed, and that in a few years he would find himself 

 surrounded by a thriving population ; but he had been grievously 

 disappointed. The wild lands (a colonial phrase), he discovered, 

 when too late, belonged to gentlemen residing at the seat of govern- 

 ment (York, now Foronto), or to military officers serving or residing 

 in different parts of the world, and to whom no reference could be 

 found. This is one of many similar cases I had an opportunity of 

 observing during my travels in that country. 



A very serious obstacle exists to the improvement and prosperity 

 of the colonies, in having two-sevenths of every surveyed township 

 reserved for the use of the crown and clergy. These reserves are, 

 consequently, denominated crown and clergy reserves, and are not 

 disposed of until they have acquired a considerable value by the sur- 

 rounding improvements. Each township is divided into lots, con- 

 taining two hundred acres ; and when surveyed, the reserved lots are 

 chequered throughout, so as to place them in as isolated situations, 

 as regards themselves, as possible. The emigrant, being aware of 

 this, naturally avoids settling in their immediate vicinity ; for he is 

 obliged, together with his neighbours, to cut the road in front of 

 these lots, or to remain without the means of communication In 



