SOLON ROBINSON, 1845 437 



grooves are fitted puncheons of any convenient width, 

 the edges resting upon each other, which forms the sides 

 of the barn. Upon the top of these posts, the plates and 

 roof are put. The partitions are all made in the same 

 way, so that there is no sawed stuff and no nails except 

 in roof and doors, and it makes a very good cheap build- 

 ing. The grooves are cut in the posts by a tool made on 

 purpose, shaped like an adze. The plan is worthy the 

 attention of new settlers in many situations that I know 

 of. It will answer very well for making "cheap sheds" 

 for some of the prairie flocks and herds. And now, my 

 dear friends, while I take another rest, let me beg you 

 to have patience, we travel slow, but we have much to 

 see, and life I hope will be long enough to see it all. So 

 once more, I am affectionately your old friend, 



Solon Robinson. 



Notes of Travel — No. IV. 



In Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri. 



By Solon Robinson. 



[Albany Cultivator, n. s. 2:178-79; June, 1845] 



[Covering January 29-February 3, 1845] 



If I mistake not, my last communication closed while 

 we were yet in the lead region of Missouri, and as I wish 

 to keep up a continuous narrative of all our wanderings, 

 I shall take up the yarn as near as possible where it was 

 last broken off, which I think was the 28th of January. 



On the 29th, I passed through the town of Farmington, 

 the name of which for once, intimates something of the 

 country around it. During the morning ride, the road 

 continued over the same description of hilly poor land 

 that it had for several previous days, and the appearance 

 of the inhabitants corresponding with the country. But 

 in the vicinity of this town, the land is good, but the 

 dwellers therein lack the go-ahead spirit always observ- 

 able around a settlement composed of "down-easters." I 

 observed but little good stock of any kind, though from 



