374 MISREPRESENTATIONS OF CANADA. 



of Upper Canada, with exception perhaps of situations on the 

 margins of lakes, wheat will suffer from mildew. The want 

 of success which so often attends first crops on small clear 

 ances in the midst of the forest, is in all probability owing to 

 the frosts of spring, summer, and autumn, caused by the 

 radiation of heat, and which a free circulation of air will alone 

 prevent. This casualty is a serious evil to first settlers, and 

 ought to form part of their calculations in choosing a situa 

 tion. 



Upper Canada has been much over-rated by some people 

 who have visited the country. Many of the written accounts 

 may be regarded as advertisements ; and the statements have 

 been the means of deceiving the unwary. During my sojourn 

 in the province, I frequently heard Mr Adam Fergusson of 

 Woodhill become the subject of reproach ; and this season, the 

 clamour is loud against him. A correspondent states in one of 

 his letters, &quot; Many extravagant notions of America are enter 

 tained at home. Some people will form such notions in spite 

 of any writing ; but certainly many absurd things have been 

 published about America by individuals who have travelled 

 through the country without mixing with the people, or who 

 seem to have written from interested motives. I know not 

 how the Highland Society of Scotland will like to hear of 

 Mr Fergusson s errors. Its patronage certainly tended to 

 mislead many. I have met with people in this part of the 

 world who told me so, and who rail against him at a great 

 rate.&quot; 



I agree with my correspondent in thinking the patronage 

 which the Highland Society bestowed on Mr Fergusson add 

 ed weight to his statements, and some of its members will feel 

 disappointed at hearing them called in question. Societies, 

 however, like individuals, often misplace confidence, and 

 spurn the advances of real merit. But his most objection 

 able matter is contained in &quot; Practical Notes made during a 

 Second Visit to Canada in 1833,&quot; with which the Highland 

 Society is not connected. 



Mr Adam Fergusson of Woodhill occupied a respectable, 



