AGRICULTURE WEST OF THE ALLEGHANY MOUNTAINS. 397 



the workmen are idle and unsteady. Farming cannot, how 

 ever, be pursued on a large scale with a prospect of success, 

 from the difficulty of superintending the operations and form 

 ing a proper division of labour with unskilful and untractable 

 workmen. There is, however, an excellent field for prudent 

 skill and industry near all towns. In short, science seems 

 scarcely to have been thought of in American farming, and a 

 cautious application of it in draining and other improvements, 

 in particular situations, would be remunerating. 



Land may be rented in many parts of the country on fair 

 terms, more especially near towns. In such situations many 

 British emigrants successfully pursue market gardening and 

 dairy husbandry. Native Americans prefer occupying land 

 of their own to paying rent for the use of a farm belonging to 

 others. 



The labouring emigrant does not readily find agricultural 

 employment on the east coast, from the country being thickly 

 settled, and the constant influx of emigrants without funds to 

 support them. He should, therefore, lose no time in pushing 

 back into the country, where wages are higher compared with 

 the price of the necessaries of life and land, and where infor 

 mation necessary to a settler on cheap land, can alone be 

 acquired. 



The soil on the western side of the Alleghanies is generally 

 much superior to the eastern, although it is to be found of all 

 descriptions and degrees of fertility. It has not been very 

 long cropped, and the natural composition of a great portion of 

 it will, under any circumstances, render it productive of wheat 

 and Indian corn. Almost all the land in the eastern part of 

 this district is owned by private individuals, but much of it 

 remains uncleared of forest. Towards the west the greater 

 part of the land is held by the United States government, 

 and costs SlJ per acre. In every part of the country forest 

 or improved land may be purchased, and the price is govern 

 ed by local situation and other circumstances. Labour can 

 generally be had, except in the extreme west. Farm pro 

 duce is in constant demand, and prices are regulated by the 

 markets of the towns on the east coast and New Orleans, to 

 all of which there is access by rivers, canals, or railroads. 



