36 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



must be thoroughly answered, since there is no place 

 apart, where one may avoid curiosity or occupy himself 

 with his own affairs. Our host had a numerous family ; 

 in order to provide for them, he wished to find a pur- 

 chaser for his land, which was in good order, with much 

 clean meadow. Hereabouts, an acre of land fetches 

 from 25 to 50-60 shillings Virgin. Current; he would 

 sell his for 40 shillings cash money, and with the pro- 

 ceeds remove over the mountains to Kentucky, where 

 he could buy as much land as would give each of his 

 children a sufficient portion. For the people through- 

 out are set upon establishing their children in land- 

 estates which is difficult to manage in the older parts, 

 and hence the incessant migrations to the farther re- 

 gions. This was an extremely well-disposed and in- 

 dustrious family, which through an especial diligence 

 and attention produced and made ready almost all of 

 what they needed; for their land and their cattle af- 

 forded them the materials. They had flax, cotton, and 

 wool, which were woven into articles of clothing ; hides 

 for shoes and other purposes. There was no lack of all 

 kinds of meat, and in drinks the orchard furnished a 

 sour cyder and whiskey, and a sweetish, not unpleas- 

 ant beer is made from the persimon (fruit of the 

 Diospyros) . That is, the bruised fruit is made into a 

 dough with wheat-bran and baked, and this bread is 

 afterwards boiled and let ferment. This drink had 

 been made especially for the approaching Christmas 

 festivals. Next after tobacco, the most important crop is 

 maize, the chief nourishment of the family, the negroes, 

 and the large and small stock; for everything lives on 

 corn. Finally, tobacco pays for what they need besides, 

 contingencies and luxuries; tobacco pays the taxes, 



