54 EMIGRATION, OR 



and levelled the land (a very common thing- in America); 

 sowed three bushels of cats to the acre (more than is sown 

 in general), \vith four or five pounds of clover, and as much 

 Timothy grass. Timothy, or cat s-tail, as it is called in 

 England, is not a good grass to sow with clover, as it is not 

 fit to cut so soon by a fortnight, and throws up no latter 

 or aftermath. Some of the better sorts of rye grass, 

 cocksfoot, or sweet scented vernal grass, I think, would be 

 much better ; but they are not introduced into use here 

 at present, and little attention is paid to improvements. 

 Clover, even by itself, answers admirably on a clear tilth, 

 and will last well in the ground for six or seven or more 

 years, yet it is not sown by one farmer in half a dozen in 

 this western part of the province ; even Colonel Talbot 

 I am told never had any but once before, which was suf 

 fered to stand till dead ripe (like all grass here) before 

 cutting, when the cattle would not eat the hay, and it 

 therefore was condemned. It is getting into general use at 

 Long Point, and the seed sells from seven to eight dollars 

 per bushel, or about 35s. per cwt. Ploughing up new land 

 for the first time, that was chopped and cleared several 

 years ago ; rough work, amongst roots, &c. Have sixty 

 lambs dropped, which are strong and thriving. Two sheep 

 and lambs left out of the pen last night, by mistake, when 

 either a (Jog or wolf killed one of the sheep. Many dogs 

 I believe kill sheep hereabouts, through their being used to 

 hunt racoons and deer. Hauled the seine yesterday in the 

 lake, and caught nine maskinonge (a large fish, very like a 

 pike) from five to thirty pounds each. 



April 29. There has been several days heavy rain, 

 &quot;which is not uncommon, as, with the exception of thunder 

 showers, it generally lasts for a longer time than in England. 

 The fruits, wheat, and grass begin to bud ; and on hauling 

 the seine every day or two, we take a variety of fine fish in 

 great numbers. 



May 6. This has been a stormy week and mostly cold ; 

 but one very warm day, thermometer 71 in tny sleeping- 

 room at noon; generally from 48 to 62. Peas - up, and 

 pigeons done coming. Ploughing prevented by the water 

 standing on the land, in what are termed cradle-holes, 

 formed by trees being blown up by the roots, and are found 

 only on a wet, or a loose soil. The spring later by three 

 weeks than the last. Whitethorn just budding; grass grows 



