12 THE LIFE OF THE 



for the loss of his home pleasures in the glorious climate, the untram- 

 melled freedom of an open-air life which seems to me the nearest 

 to English life outside of England, and the closest to nature possible 

 in these modern days. 



The attractions of the mode of life are worth some trouble and 

 a little sacrifice to those who are sick of the city and dream of a 

 cottage and a bit of land. It is a great thing to find interesting out- 

 door work all the year round, a little inexpensive sport, and alto- 

 gether lead a safer and happier existence than in being perpetually 

 tossed about in the risky whirlpool of what is called business. 



Many inquiries concerning the advantages and disadvantages 

 of Nova Scotia for the intending settler have reached me from all 

 quarters of the Empire. 



My inquirers, roughly speaking, fall into three divisions : first, 

 those who, having little or no capital, desire to make their way by 

 agricultural pursuits in a new land ; secondly, those who, having 

 means, yet desire to take up farming as a serious occupation ; thirdly, 

 those who, with a settled income, are merely desirous of settling 

 down comfortably where a reasonable amount of fishing and shooting 

 is to be enjoyed alternating with the routine of the life of the fields 

 and the farm. 



The first two classes of inquirers may find some useful hints 

 in the succeeding chapter, and more ample information in the numer- 

 ous pamphlets and blue-books published by the Emigration Depart- 

 ment of the Government of Nova Scotia. 1 These should bear in 

 mind that to achieve success in any career three things are neces- 

 sary : native talent, close application, and experience. The pur- 

 suit of farming is no exception to the rule. Sporting inclinations 

 must be ruthlessly suppressed. The farmer must watch the sky 

 much as a general the moves of his enemy, and be ready to take 

 instant advantage of weather changes either adverse or in his favour. 

 To an unduly prolonged stay on a salmon river (when the June 

 run, to be sure, was at its height) I attribute the loss of a valuable 

 horse, and between the sudden appearance of a flight of black duck 

 and the failure to house in good condition a fine crop 'of ripe oats 

 I can establish a close connexion. As a general rule Rowan's 

 remark is quite true : ' that wild sports of the Canadian forest 

 are no more within the reach of the Canadian settler who has to 

 make his way and get his living, than is a Highland deer forest or a 

 grouse moor the ordinary property of an English farmer.' 



To the third class neither the working man nor the small capital- 



1 These are to be procured by application to the Provincial Secretary, 

 Halifax, Nova Scotia : Emigration Department. 



