STATE OF AGRICULTURE, ETC. 317 



Mechanics of all sorts get higher wages, and where they 

 settle in towns, as they mostly do, they get rich in few years, 

 if they are industrious, and well understand their business. 



Laborers by the day, month or job, can always get employ- 

 ment, high wages and prompt payment, in cash, on our public 

 works — our roads and canals. It will continue to be so for 

 ages, because this state will never cease to improve the coun- 

 try by canals and roads. Every dollar laid out thus, by the 

 state, will pay an interest that will forever make it the duty 

 of the state, to proceed in her internal improvements. So 

 that any young man in the East, who wishes to become a good 

 substantial farmer, may come to Ohio, get employment, buy 

 a farm, pay for it, own and improve it, and be an independent 

 citizen of this great and growing state. 



Manures have been but little used yet, in this state. Such 

 is the natural fertility of the soil, that farmers have neglect- 

 ed to make use of their manure. Compost is unknown to our 

 farmers, and plaster of Paris is, as yet, but little used. That 

 many parts of Ohio would be the better for manure we doubt 

 not, nor do we doubt but that when the lands are more worn 

 by cultivation, that manure will be used by farmers. The 

 best soil is doubtless one that contains sand enough in its com- 

 position to prevent its baking or becoming hard' after a rain, 

 and which also contains clay enough in it, to retain sufficient 

 moisture. That our hilly region, whose soil is composed of 

 such materials as these, possesses within itself a mineral rich- 

 ness, scarcely equaled any where else, is certain; hence, all 

 our hilly region has deceived every one, almost, who saw it 

 covered with a forest. Such lands are coming into high re- 

 pute for farms; and whole counties, once deemed poor," are set- 

 tling rapidly, and will continue to do so for a long time to 

 come. Their soil is as good for grain, especially wheat, as 

 any portions of the state, formerly supposed to be preferable. 



