448 CROPS AND PRICES. 



industrious and frugal emigrants, being framed for a person 

 disliking to work ; and Mr Ferguson s estimate of buildings, 

 and maintaining a family having been taken, which is too high 

 for ordinary settlers. The crops are estimated considerably 

 lower than what I was told the land of Illinois generally 

 yields ; but from knowing how prone farmers are to speak of 

 good crops, and conceal indifferent ones, I have made con 

 siderable deductions from the accounts received, with the view 

 of avoiding exaggeration. 



If an industrious man were to purchase the farm, and per 

 form a considerable portion of the work himself, the result 

 would be different. A saving might also be effected on the 

 buildings and living to the extent of $250. If to this sum be 

 added $150 for work performed personally above the other 

 case, the same produce would be obtained with an outlay of 

 L.389 sterling. A person who would be content at first 

 with cheap houses, little household furniture, and labour with 

 his own hands, might reap the same produce with an outlay 

 of L.300 sterling. The expense of buildings and living un 

 til a crop is reaped, must in a great measure depend on the 

 individual himself, and the nature of his family. But the ad 

 vantages of the country will be best seen by simply viewing 

 the produce of an acre of land for two years, and the cost of 

 obtaining it. 



Purchasing an acre of land, .... $1.25 



Ploughing, ...... 2 



Seed of Indian corn, ..... 0.02 



Harvesting, &c. ..... ;j 



Seed for Wheat crop, .... 0.50 



Harrowing Wheat, ..... 0.25 



Harvesting Wheat, ..... 3 



Total, $10.02 



With an outlay of $10.02, or L.2, 2s. 7d. sterling, there 

 is obtained 40 bushels of Indian corn, and 22J- bushels of 

 wheat. 



A person with little capital might commence farming on a 

 smaller scale than has been taken for illustration ; govern 

 ment selling lots of 80 acres. Supposing a farm of this 



