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Vol. XIX, Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., OCTOBER, 1858, 



No. 10. 



NOTES OF A TEIP WEST. 



Leaving our quiet sanctum on the 3d of Sep- 

 tember, we set out for a rapid glance at the prairies 

 of the Great "West. If, like us, kind reader, you 

 have never seen the so-called " granary of the 

 world," the Yalley of the Mississippi, and will take 

 a seat with us in the comfortable cars of the New 

 York Central Railroad, we will promise you a ride 

 which Avill enable you to realize somewhat the fact 

 that " this is a great country." 



The best soil and the best farmers of the Empire 

 State are found in Western New York, and no- 

 where can we obtain a better view of them, from 

 the cars, than on the Rochester and Niagara Falls 

 Railroad. Look at this beautiful rolling limestone 

 land, neither too heavy nor too light, and rich in 

 all the elements of fertility ! Here is a rich field 

 of clover, and there a well-prepared fallow for 

 wheat. On that side-hill is a flourishing apple 

 orchard, and now we catch a glimpse of the com- 

 modious barn and neat farm-house. It would be 

 difficult to paint a scene more indicative of peace, 

 prosperity, and plenty. Here we are at Suspen- 

 sion Bridge. Now we roll slowly over the mighty 

 chasm, and look down with fear and trembling 

 into the awful gulf below. Safe in her Majesty's 

 dominions, we enter the commodious cars of the 

 Great Western Railway, and are soon rolling 

 through one of the finest agricultural districts on 

 the American continent. 



" I thought Canada was a cold, sterile country, 

 affording little but lumber, and a good place to fish 

 and hunt, and sell wooden nutmegs." 



"Many persons have held such an opinion, but 

 it is a most mistaken notion." 



"What may be called a 'Yankee notion,' I sup- 

 pose, and therefore not particularly pleasing to the 

 Canadians!" 



" This part of Canada is no colder than Western 

 New York. It is a peninsula, nearly surrounded 

 by the waters of lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron, 

 which greatly moderate the climate. Peaches and 

 aU other fruits succeed as well here as in Western 



New York. In fact, there is very little difference 

 either in the soil, climate, or productions." 



" Or in the modes of cultivation." 



"The main features are alike, but you perceive 

 the influence of English and Scotch agricultm-al 

 practices. Look at that long-tailed Scotch plow, 

 made of iron. They plow very straight with it, 

 but not so deep or wide as we do, and they finish 

 up the dead furrows better. There seems to be 

 less Indian corn and more turnips than with us. 

 Here is a quantity of manure drawn out, and lime 

 scattered over the heaps — an old obsolete English 

 practice, which certainly can not be recommended. 

 Still, on the whole, the Canadians are good farm- 

 ers, and quite an intelligent class of men ; — at all 

 events, the fact that the Genesee Farmer has about 

 three thousand subscribers in the Province, speaks 

 well for them." 



"I am very favorably impressed with the coun- 

 try — this railroad is admirably managed — we make 



good time— the conductors are models of civility 



the bridges are firm, the stations substantial and 

 well arranged, and everything proceeds with a 

 regularity that indicates good rules systematically 

 carried out. The managing Director, J. C. Bbidges 

 Esq., is said to be one of the most eflicient and popu- 

 lar railroad men in the country. There is no road 

 better managed, and none more worthy of the ex- 

 tensive patronage which it receives." 



"The engine whistles 'brakes.' We are ap- 

 proaching Paris. This is one of the best agricul- 

 tural districts in Canada. On Mr. Christy's farm 

 near here, the wheat was grown which took the 

 gold medal at the Great Exhibition in London in 

 1851. It weighed 66 lbs. per bushel. I was on 

 this farm eight years ago this fall, and saw tlie 

 wheat before it was sent to London. Wheat was 

 then selling here for 38 cents per bushel ! Since 

 then, the opening of the railroad and the removal 

 of the duty into the United States, have given the 

 farmers here nearly as good prices as we get m 

 Rochester." 



Here we are at London, a handsome, thriving 

 city, "but not equal," says an English friend back 



