WAGES OF FARM-LABOURERS . 125 



were said to have been felt in 1825 ; and accounts from dis 

 tant parts of the north spoke of its attacks this year as highly 

 destructive. 



While delayed at Sully I strolled into the forest, and, on 

 the margin of Rice Lake, found a solitary plant of red clover, 

 having about fifty flower-stalks from one root, measuring five 

 feet in height, and neither soil or situation seemed favourable 

 to luxuriance. There were three heads faded, which I col 

 lected, and afterwards lost to my regret. On the plains there 

 were many flowering plants and grasses, and I remarked 

 triticum repens, the thick-rooted couch-grass of Britain, which 

 is found over many parts of Canada. Gooseberries covered 

 with strong prickles, which soften as the fruit ripens ; and 

 black currants, with prickly and unprickly fruit, were grow r - 

 ing in the woods ; and hazel loaded with nuts on open 

 places. 



Wages of farm-labourers in the neighbourhood of Peter 

 borough were stated at $10 per month by the year, and at 

 $ 1 2 in part of summer. A respectable settler in Smithstown 

 told me he had offered 8115 in cash per annum, to be paid 

 when a crop was reaped from the labour. In all cases pro 

 duce or store pay seems to be given, unless by special agree 

 ment to the contrary. Cash is a scarce commodity, and could 

 not be obtained for wheat at the present time. 



In course of my short excursion I had seen some bush life 

 of individuals formerly moving in a higher grade than those 

 on the Welland canal. The general impression was not 

 favourable, and after farther experience of such life, many 

 things appeared exceptionable. In particular, ardent spirits 

 were too frequently used, mingled it is true with water, 

 which perhaps did not mitigate their effects. A cask of 

 spirits, with a crane, often stood in the comer of the room, 



and Mr D r informed me Mr had a bee a few 



weeks before, which lasted two days, and at which eighty gal 

 lons of spirits were consumed. 



The Newcastle district has been a fashionable place of 

 settlement of late years, more especially around Peterborough; 

 and I was soon aware of the means taken to induce people to 

 settle in it. Before leaving; Scotland I had seen a catalogue 



