199 



blades of the Indian corn being the chief 

 support of their cattle, horses, sheep, &c. 

 during the winter, with the assistance of the 

 wheat-straw. Indeed Indian corn is the 

 great dependence of every part of America, 

 for both man and beast. It is a wonderful 

 plant; and the produce of four hills (which is 

 four thousand eight hundred corns, and yet 

 not two quarts) will plant an acre the next 

 season. It is the most beautiful crop when 

 properly managed, that I ever saw ; and 

 will grow to a greater burthen on the poor- 

 est land, I am of opinion, than any other 

 plant in the world. They talk of growing 

 one hundred bushels per acre on the back- 

 wood lands ; but that I do not believe, and 

 it may easily be known. I shall give a de- 

 scription of it in some part of this work, and 

 state the greatest produce that can be raised. 

 Having satisfied my curiosity at the West 

 River, I set off to the Eastern shore j where 

 I met with a most agreeable reception from 

 Mr. John Singleton (an Englishman), a 

 very well-informed man, and who has 



