384 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF 



fort, or care, or anxiety of any kind, and dream of future riches 

 till the close of his existence. With industry, comforts, hap 

 piness, and wealth, would be his portion. With forest land 

 the British farmer would be sacrificed, unless in the prime of 

 youth. In chopping, logging-, and burning timber, he could 

 not for a time render much assistance, and his previous know 

 ledge would be of little avail. The plough could not be used 

 for seven or eight years. Cultivating merely with the harrow, 

 and mowing with the cradle-scythe amongst blackened stumps, 

 would ill accord with his former habits. In such pursuits he 

 would not, in all probability, find happiness or wealth. The 

 young man of ardour and perseverance, whose habits could 

 be changed, is differently situated, and he may enter the 

 forest with every prospect of success. It is the returns from 

 clearing forest land being distant, though certain, which gives 

 youth great advantage over age, independent of his moral 

 pliancy and physical strength. 



The agricultural labourer of Upper Canada finds employ 

 ment at good nominal wages during summer, but, instead of 

 getting money, he is served with an order on a neighbouring- 

 store, from w r hich he obtains goods to the amount, 20 or 30 

 per cent above real value. In winter his w r ages are reduced 

 nearly one-half, or he engages in the clearing of forest, on 

 terms of distant payment, and in the interm subsists on store 

 credit. From seldom being paid in money, he sees the hope 

 lessness of raising himself by purchasing land, and the disap 

 pointment often leads to drunkenness. At present, it appears 

 to me doubtful if the British agricultural labourer of middle 

 age would greatly better his condition by removing to Upper 

 Canada. It is certain he would obtain more of the good 

 things of life at a sacrifice of some little comfort, and unless 

 he has strong attraction to the country, it is scarcely worth 

 his while to make the change. 



It has often been said manufacturers and artisans of all 

 kinds make better Canadian farmers than agriculturists do. 

 This seems to me part of the deception which has been played 

 off on the people of Britain. Knowledge is power in all things, 

 and however prejudiced agriculturists may be, their acquaint 

 ance with the time and mode of sowing, harvesting, and 



