HO STATE OF AGRICULTURE AROUND MONTREAL* 



a village on the north side of the mountain. Bush vetch, vicia 

 caraca^ and yellow clover, were growing- plentifully, and I 

 also met with the latter at Chambly. Mildew was seen on 

 wheat where the crop was strong, and the ravages of the fly 

 generally traced, though they did not exist to the same extent 

 as on the south side of the St Lawrence. 



The soil of the island of Montreal, about seventy miles in cir 

 cumference, is variable, including gravel, clay, sand, and peat ; 

 the two former preponderating, and a great part of all requires 

 draining. Limestone is abundant, and on one farm I found marl, 

 which we tested with vinegar. The land is held by French 

 tenure, and divided, in the French manner, into long narrow 

 portions of from 70 to 220 acres. The agriculture cannot be 

 said to have been reduced to system, if we except the alternation 

 of wheat and thistle pasture, already noticed. A better state 

 of things is, however, about to dawn several British farmers 

 having commenced operations near the town of Montreal, and 

 are draining, liming, and manuring freehold as well as lease 

 hold properties. At present, the most lucrative department of 

 farming is raising vegetables for the market, and from the 

 cheapness of manure, the limited extent of free dry soil, the 

 skill requisite for producing market stuffs, and the prospect of 

 increasing population, this description of husbandry is likely 

 to continue profitable for a great length of time. Manure 

 during part of the year is obtained without price, and it rarely 

 exceeds sixpence a cart-load. Vegetables are extravagantly 

 dear at all times. My friend, Mr , while I was with 

 him, sold a considerable extent of potatoes at L.35 per acre. 



Hay fetches a high price at Montreal, more especially that 

 of timothy grass for horses. Clover hay is only bought for 

 the use of cows. Two Scotch farmers, in the neighbourhood 

 of Montreal, sow from two to three Ibs. of red clover seed 

 to an acre ; and I doubt if it is economical to do so when hay is 

 grown for sale, as clover is more than one penny a-stone 

 cheaper than timothy hay. A milch-cow can be grazed during 

 the season for Si, and near Montreal, for $2, or 8s. 6d. ster 

 ling for a season. 



The price of land on the island is from L.10 to L.20 per 

 acre, according to quality, situation, and buildings. Labour 



