290 THE GARDEN OF CANADA. 



he then sells his land for should really be no greater, In 

 consequence of the drainage he has performed. Here, 

 as in New Brunswick and the Eastern States of the 

 Union, I find it was a disputed question whether money 

 is to be made by farming, Avhere all the work is done 

 by hired labour; that is, whether the Scotch and 

 English system of large farming, or the class of large 

 farmers, can be successfully introduced into the pro- 

 vince. 



It is conceded that a man with 100 acres in cultiva- 

 tion, doing one-half the work by the hands of his own 

 family, and employing hired labour to do the rest, may 

 make both ends meet ; but if a larger farm is to be 

 worked by the same home-force, with a larger number 

 of hired labourers, it is a question whether it can be 

 done, in average years, so as to pay. This doubt arises 

 not merely from the high price, but from the alleged, 

 and I believe real. Inferior quality of the agricultural 

 labour — chiefly Irish — which a farmer Is able to secure. 



The Island of Montreal has been long celebrated for 

 its fertility, and, from its production of fine fruits, has 

 been called " the garden of Canada." The front-land, 

 along the river, over which I passed. Is very good, pro- 

 ducing, per imperial acre, from 20 to 35 bushels of 

 wheat, from 40 to 60 of oats, and of Indian corn, 

 though not much cultivated here, from 40 to 50 bushels. 

 The value of this land Is, on an average, about £20 

 currency, or £16 sterling, per acre, when it is in a good 

 state of cultivation, and has good buildings upon it. 



Mr Tenner's farm is, for the most part, very superior 

 land. From 40 to 50 acres of it are In hops, which 

 thrive well — produce, on an average, from 800 to 1000 

 lb. per acre, and are a profitable crop. Here, as in our 

 own hop-grounds, and in those of Flanders, they 

 require high manuring ; and thus, as a general article 

 of culture, they are beyond the skill of the manure- 



