RISING OF STONES IN WINTER. 89 



in the soil have a tendency, during the frosts of winter, 

 to rise to the surface from depths of three or four feet. 

 The frost penetrates in many places to three feet, and 

 sometimes deeper in severe winters ; and it is observed 

 that stones in this upper layer gradually come up to day ; 

 so that, if a field be perfectly cleared of stones one year, 

 a new crop will be found on the land in the course of the 

 next year, if the soil within three feet contain any. The 

 stakes of fences are also pushed out by the same agency ; 

 and this is a source of much trouble to the farmer. 

 During a visit to Russia some years ago, I was told the 

 same facts by a large landed proprietor and improver, as 

 being seen on his estates in the direction of Archangel ; 

 but I had always doubted their correctness, until the 

 universal testimony of my New Brunswick friends put 

 them beyond a doubt. 



The effects of the potato failure are likely in this pro- 

 vince to be ultimately as favourable to agricultural 

 progress as we hope they may be in Ireland. It has led 

 to a very considerable extension of the turnip culture, 

 with its attendant advantages of stock-feeding and 

 manure-manufacturing, and the benefits are already 

 found so great, that should the potato come round again, 

 this green crop will not on that account be abandoned. 

 The turnip thrives well ; and in the most northerly parts 

 of the province I have met with crops which would not 

 have done discredit to a Lothian farmer. The climate 

 makes it necessary, however, to take them up in Novem- 

 ber, and to store them in cellars, where they will be 

 readily accessible during the frosts and snows of winter. 



August 26th. — Early in the morning I ferried across 

 the St John on my way to the Miramichi River, in the 

 north-east of the province. The road lay along the right 

 bank of the Nashwauk, though on the upland, and at 

 some distance from the river. The red and white fire- 

 weeds, Epilohium coloratum^ and Erichtites Meracifolius^ 



