270 CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNOR- GENERAL. 



away. I was from the first, however, inclined to regard 

 the Governor's movements as impelled chiefly by a 

 prudent caution, and all I afterwards learned or saw 

 tended to confirm and strengthen this first impression. 

 What matters the personal bravery of the Governor 

 of a colony, compared with his personal prudence ? To 

 satisfy his partisans, or to disprove the allegations of 

 his opponents, is he to place himself in circumstances 

 where disturbance may occur, the public peace be 

 endangered, lives possibly sacrificed, and feelings of 

 bitterness awakened which he may never be able to 

 allay ? The Annexation party in Canada would justly 

 have blamed his rashness, his imprudence, and his unfit- 

 ness to preside over a constitutional government, had 

 they succeeded, by their taunts, in compelling him into 

 any equivocal position. 



The farming about Toronto — in the Home district, 

 which I was unable to visit — is said to be better as to 

 implements, stock, and handiwork, than in any other 

 part of Canada. The surface-soil in this district is 

 generally sandy, and covered with pine; but it rests, at 

 a depth of 10 to 18 inches, on a clay often blue in 

 colour, and burning to a white brick. Such a soil 

 is easily tilled at first, and has the means of permanent 

 improvement below. 



Wheat is still the surest crop in Canada West, 

 though, in the lower or moister grounds, it is very 

 subject to rust. This has been particularly the case 

 during the last ten years, hundreds of acres having 

 sometimes been left uncut on account of this disease. 



Winter wheat is preferred, sown in September, be- 

 cause it leaves less to do in the short spring, is ripe a 

 fortnight earlier than spring wheat, and brings 3d. to 

 6d. currency a bushel more in the market. It is this 

 winter w^heat which the Rochester and Oswego millers 

 covet, because they can get it earlier in the season than 



