444 VIRGINIA. 



on without the* least warning. To a warm day there sometimes suc- 

 ceeds such an intense cold in the evening as to freeze oyer the lar- 

 gest rivers ; though this is a very rare occurrence. 



The air and seasons here depend very much upon the wind, as to 

 heat and cold, dryness and rhoisture. In winter, they have generally 

 a fine clear air, and dry, which renders it very pleasant. Their spring 

 is about a month earlier than in England ; in April they have frequent 

 rains ; in May and June the heat increases ; and the summer is re- 

 freshed with gentle breezes from the sea,' that rise about nine 

 o'clock, and decrease or increase as the sun rises or falls. In July 

 and August these breezes are less constant, the air becomes more 

 stagnant, and violently hot : in September the weather generally 

 changes, when they have heavy and frequent rains, which occasion 

 all the train of diseases incident to a moist climate, particularly agues 

 and intermitting fevers. But this description relates principally to 

 the country that lies eastward of the mountains. They have frequent 

 thunder and lightning, but it rarely does any mischief. 



Soil and produce... .Towards the sea-shore and the banks of 

 the rivers, the soil of Virginia consists of a dark rich mould, 

 which, without manure, returns plentifully whatever is committed 

 to it. At a distance from the water there is a lightness and sandi- 

 ness of the soil, which, however, is of a generous nature, and, 

 aided by a kindly sun, yields corn and tobacco extremely well. The 

 western counties are diversified by mountains and vallies, and con- 

 tain a soil well adapted to grass or grains; of both great crops are 

 produced. 



From what has been said of the soil and climate, it is easy to infer 

 the variety and perfection of the vegetable productions of this coun- 

 try. The forests are covered with all sorts of lofty trees, and in some 

 places free from underwood or bushes ; so that people travel with 

 ease through them on horseback, under a fine shade, which def nds 

 them from the sun : the plains are enamelled with flowers and flow- 

 ering shrubs of the richest colours and most fragrant scent. Medici- 

 nal herbs and roots, particularly the snake-root, and ginseng, are 

 here in great plenty. There is no sort of grain but might be culti- 

 vated to advantage. The inhabitants are not so much engrossed 

 with the culture of the tobacco plant as formerly ; wheat, Indian, 

 and other grain occupy the land more profitably ; flax and hemp are 

 produced, not only for their own consumption, but for exportation, 

 though not in such quantities as might be expected from the nature 

 of the soil, which is admirably fitted for producing these commodi- 

 ties. 



Animals... .We shall here observe, that there were neither horses, 

 cows, sheep, nor hogs in America before they were carried thither 

 by the Europeans ; but now they are multiplied so extremely, that 

 many of them, particularly in Virginia, and the more southern states, 

 run wild. Before the revolution, beef and pork Were sold here from 

 one penny to two pence a pound ; the fattest pullets at six pence a 

 piece ; chickens at three or four shillings a dozen ; geese at ten 

 pence ; and turkeys at eighteen pence a piece. But fish and wild 

 fowl were still cheaper in their season, and deer were sold from five 

 to ten shillings a piece. This estimate may serve for the other 

 American colonies, where provisions were equally plentiful and 

 Cheap, and in some stiil low&r, Since the revolution all these arti- 



