REMARKS ON EMIGRATION. 239 



native or an old countryman, by the strange diversity 

 in the appearance of the crops. In the second it is 

 asserted, from spring sowing, by which not only is the 

 proo-ress of the crop retarded, but a consequent ina- 

 bility to pay proper attention to the g*round between 

 the cuttingf the crop, and the commencement of win- 

 ter. That want of attention, and evil practices, which 

 good farming" would render obsolete, are the true 

 causes why farms in the Lower Province do not make 

 such returns as are to be expected, is proved by the 

 appearance here and there (even in unfavoured spots) 

 of as richly cultivated and productive farms as are to 

 be seen at home. 



The price of wheat varies from 5s. to 8s. 6d., but 

 the averag-e may be taken at 6s. per bushel of 621bs. 

 (g-enerally of that w^eight) although it fetched the 

 extreme price at Sherbrooke, and even a scarcity was 

 felt, during- September, 1834. This is somewhat a 

 better prospect for an industrious poor farmer, now at 

 home, than the present price of wheat, and the ruin- 

 ous rents, which the great landlords exact, merely to 

 keep the peasant under political bondage ; and above 

 all. not a particle of it goes towards any such a cor- 

 morant as a political parson, or a greedy tithe proctor. 



The soil in general of the Eastern Townships is 

 composed of a fine rich sandy loam, remarkably deep, 

 and very easily worked. Barley, in consequence, 

 answers remarkably well ; but, strange to say, it is 

 not generally grown ; like its predecessor, wheat, it 

 has suffered a general deterioration from a neglect of 

 changing the seed, &c. Its adaptability to the situa- 

 tion, and proper pursuits of Eastern Township far- 

 mers, in the rearing and fattening of cattle, especially 

 pigs, which fetch, as pork, a much higher price than 

 any other meat, and the great good it would effect 

 in a moral point of view, as leading the inhabitants 

 to make malt and drink beer, in lieu of the horrid 

 trash called spirits, distilled here, and drank to excess 

 for the want of beer or cyder, are circumstances which 

 are only now beginning to attract notice. Lastly, 

 the greater certainty of a full crop than can at all 

 times be raised from Indian corn. Its average price 

 is about 3s. 6d. per bushel (single). 



