UPPER CANADA FOR DIFFERENT EMIGRANTS. 383 



perhaps hold good as far west as the Thames, but on passing 

 that river to the north, both the climate and distance of 

 transport will operate in reducing the value of wheat. 



Upper Canada possesses many advantages to the farmer 

 over the lower province. The winter being of shorter duration 

 and less severe, he has more time to prepare the soil. A 

 greater variety of plants can be cultivated, and all of them 

 will attain greater perfection. Animals have a longer summer 

 to fatten, and a shorter winter to pine. Less dry fodder is 

 required for them, and it is more easily obtained. Succulent 

 food might be grown and preserved with greater ease. Still, 

 Upper Canada is not likely soon to become a stock country, 

 both from the limited cleared surface, and severity of winter. 

 Indian corn, too, is not easily grown, except in the southern 

 parts, and it seems to be the chief winter support of animals 

 in America, where labour is high compared with produce. 



Notwithstanding labour is high and prices low in Upper 

 Canada, capital and labour may be better employed in culti 

 vation than in the lower province, with exception of the 

 vicinity of Montreal, from the great assistance nature affords. 

 But much capital cannot at present be employed in the culti 

 vation or improvement of land, and perhaps no portion will 

 yield profit without active personal superintendence and assist 

 ance, 



A British farmer with cleared land would obtain labour to 

 hire in almost any part of the country, and be enabled to 

 afford good wages from the produce. In many situations, 

 however, he would find difficulty in obtaining a cash price, 

 which is at present one of the greatest drawbacks to the 

 country. Barter is often had recourse to, and the farmer 

 being generally indebted to storekeepers, they make their own 

 terms with him, and prey on his vitals. This state of things 

 is, however, soon likely to change from competition ; in the 

 meantime, the needy farmer is sadly imposed on. Labour 

 cannot be divided as in Britain, and cultivation must be car 

 ried on in a rude manner. The farmer, however, could find 

 no difficulty in maintaining himself by his own exertions. 

 With two days labour in the week on an average throughout 

 the season, he may lead a listless life, without domestic com- 



