lot) Observations on the Agriculture 



very narrow bottoms, closely hemmed in on each side 

 by them : yet the new turnpike road, through that 

 extensive mountainous country, has been planned and 

 executed with such ingenuity that the ascents and de- 

 scents are perfectly easy, and without perplexity : the 

 road also is well leveled, with sufficient width for carria- 

 ges safely to pass each other ; and it would have been 

 a model of perfection, if the hardy mountaineers had 

 considered the feelings of their Atlantic brethren, 

 and left the trees and bushes standing on the sides of 

 the road, next the valleys, which, in case of accident, 

 would afford considerable security to the passenger, 

 and would hide from his view the descents into the val- 

 ley, which are frequently almost perpendicular, and to 

 an immense depth, presenting a tremendous prospect 

 to those who have not been accustomed to the sight : 

 for, notwithstanding the goodness of the road, and full 

 confidence in the abilities and sobriety of the driver, 

 and gentle disposition of the horses, reflections on 

 what might possibly happen, cannot be agreeable until 

 habit has familiarized those grand but terrific objects. 

 I wish it had been in my power to give you as favour- 

 able an account of the improvement which has taken 

 place in the more recent and scattered settlements of 

 the forests, as I have done of those where agriculture 

 has been much longer established, but this cannot be 

 done.— The first object with the settler, is, either to 

 build a cabin or house, and such buildings are much 

 more easily erected, and may be readily rendered more 

 comfortable than is generally supposed : after this ob- 

 ject is effected, they fall or girdle the timber, scratch 

 the soil, and commence cropping, which is continued 



