68 Old and New Homes. 



again ready for use. Three pecks of peaches (an ordinary truck-basket) 

 required only three pounds of sugar ; and we put them into the jars while 

 boiling hot, being careful to temper the glass gradually by letting a little 

 of the hot sirup pass well around the sides before filling up with the fruit. 

 The peaches were not cooked more than was sufficient to heat them, and, 

 unless they were very juicy, would require the addition of a little water, as 

 there must always be enough sirup to cover them. The jars were filled up 

 to the brim ; and when the muslin covers were tied firmly over the top, and 

 coated with the cement, they were effectually sealed from the air. As for 

 the tomatoes, they required nothing to season them, only a thorough stew- 

 ing for half an hour, and were sealed up in the same way : the seasoning 

 could be done at the time of using. Many of our acquaintances used tin 

 cans in preference to jars ; but ours were quite as well flavored, and kept 

 admirably, whilst we were saved the needless expense of purchasing the 

 cans. 



The former owner of our snug little farm had gone South, expecting to 

 make his fortune in one or two seasons by raising vegetables and fruit for 

 the Northern markets. Knowing well, that, the earlier these things were 

 offered, the higher would be the price obtained, he had conceived a plan for 

 taking up some of the worn-out land in Virginia, and working it up to the 

 proper status for the production of these luxuries. Full of his scheme, he 

 had secured a farm of a hundred acres near Norfolk, and was working 

 it vigorously ; bringing all his former experience to bear upon the soil, 

 whose strength had long ago been exhausted by repeated tobacco-crops. 

 The land itself had cost him very little ; but, in order to bring it up to the 

 proper state, a large sum must be expended for fertilizers ; and even then it 

 would take an amount of labor such as he little imagined beforehand. Yet 

 this fever for going South has become quite prevalent among the old Jer- 

 seymen since the war ended ; and I doubt not, that after patiently toiling 

 ^or several years, and expending enough capital in enriching the land, these 

 enterprising people will reap rich returns. All their valuable experience at 

 home will avail them greatly ; and, in the end, their bank-account may be 

 larger than our own. For my part, however, I think it preferable to take 

 a plantation that is ready to your hand, with fruit planted, and land in 

 order ; and if it will feed and clothe us all, with a moderate surplus to be 



