356 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



Throughout nearly all the prairie region, good water is 

 easily obtained by digging; 90 feet is the greatest depth 

 I know of. 



"Which is the best time of year to emigrate?" 



If your route lies by way of the lakes, start from the 

 eastern states in May, June, July, August or September, 

 not later. You should arrive at your destination before 

 November, at all events. May and June, are undoubtedly 

 the best months for traveling. In moving, emigrants 

 often suffer great exposure, which they notice but little 

 at the time, but which sows the seeds of fever and ague, 

 which comes upon them in their new home, and makes 

 them discontented with the country, and sometimes 

 drives them back whence they came, when a little more 

 care, prudence and foresight, would have saved a world 

 of misery. 



At whatever period you move, be careful of the health 

 of your family. Above all things keep your temper, and 

 you will be likely to keep your health. Don't be in too 

 much of a hurry, and be sure to get ready before you 

 start. That is "the best time to emigrate." 



"If I should purchase an entire new tract, what would 

 be the probable expense of a comfortable dwelling and 

 barn, and other preparations for cultivating." 



The first breaking up of the prairie is generally 

 counted in the cost of preparation; that is $1.50 an acre; 

 rails, one cent each; count 16 or 18 to every rod, and 

 calculate the expense of any size lot you wish. A com- 

 fortable log cabin with two rooms, can be built for $50. 

 A frame house li/ 2 stories high, 20 by 30 feet, from $250 

 to $300. A log barn, 18 by 40, $40. Of course there are 

 several other items of expense that I cannot give ex- 

 actly here, such as a well, cellar, garden fence, yards, 

 sheds, &c. &c. that cost labor and not money. 



And just so with this article. It will only cost you 

 the labor of reading it, and if it does you no good, you 

 have the satisfaction that it did not cost you much money. 



