Rocky Mountains, 279 



In all the uplands, the prevailing growth is oak. At the 

 time of our journey the acorns were falling in such (quanti- 

 ties, that the ground for an extent of many acres was often 

 seen almost covered with them- Many recent settlers, indul- 

 ging the disposition to indolence, which seizes upon almost 

 every man who fixes his residence in these remote forests, 

 place as much dependence upon the crop of mast as on the 

 products of their own industry. Vast numbers of swine are 

 suffered to range at large in the forests, and in the fall of the 

 year when they have become fat by feeding on the acorns, 

 they are hunted and killed like wild animals, affording to the 

 inhabitants a very important article of subsistence. It is re- 

 marked also, that the venison becomes fat somewhat in pro- 

 portion as acorns are abundant. Turkies, which are still vast- 

 ly numerous in the settlements of White river, feed upon 

 them, but are said to grow poor in consequence. 



Sweet potatoes grow in great perfection in many parts of 

 the Arkansa territory, and are but too much cultivated and 

 eaten, their constant use as an article of food, being liitlc bene- 

 ficial to health. The common, or Irish potatoe^ as it is here 

 universally called, succeeds but indifferently, and few at- 

 tempts are made to cultivate it. 



A few of the roads which traverse the country from the 

 Mississippi to the upper settlements of Red river and the 

 Arkansa, have been sufficiently opened to admit the pas- 

 sage of waggons. On these are seen many families migra- 

 ting from Missouri to Red river, and from Red river to 

 Missouri. 



The first settlements in the wildtrness are most common- 

 ly made b)' persons to whom hardihood and adventure have 

 become confirmed, and almost indispensable habits, and who 

 choose to depend upon the chase, and the spontaneous pro- 

 ducts of the unreclaimed forest, rather than submit to the 

 confinement and monotony of an agricultural life. They are 

 therefore, of necessity, kept somewhat in advance of those 



