10 THE FARMER'S AND 



urgent. As a general rule, it is utterly unsafe to buy 

 land on the strength of a glowing advertisement, or the 

 representations of ordinary land-agents. There are most 

 honorable exceptions to this rule, of course, but they are 

 few. We repeat, buy no land until you have seen and 

 carefully examined it. 



Before giving a few hints, which the purchaser will find 

 useful in deciding upon the quality of land, it may be 

 well to notice a few points which should claim his atten- 

 tion. In " The Emigrant's True Guide," we took occa- 

 sion to discuss this at some length ; but as that book may 

 not have fallen into the hands of the reader, we will again 

 briefly refer to it. 



The very first inquiry should be concerning the health, 

 fulness of the proposed purchase. If it be in a notoriously 

 unhealthy region, utterly refuse to have anything to do 

 with it. Of what avail will be rich land, abundant har- 

 vests, numerous flocks and herds, if, with them all, there 

 is a constant liability to bilious and other diseases, which 

 prevail in certain localities ? A bare subsistence, with 

 ruddy health, is far preferable ; and this the emigrant 

 will learn by sad experience, if he sit himself down beside 

 some sluggish stream, or on some fever-breeding marsh. 

 See to it, that the general character of the country for 

 health is reasonably good, and that the streams in the 

 neighborhood are clear and lively. It cannot be expected 

 that the new and rich regions of the West will be as 

 healthful as the poorer and better settled ones of the East ; 

 but with tolerable caution, a pretty healthy location may 

 be made. At all events, there is a choice, and the settler 

 should he careful to make it. 



It is also extremely desirable that the settler make his 

 location as near a good market as possible. There will 

 be less difficulty on this point than a stranger in the 

 country might suppose. The numerous rivers, lakes, 



