46 Field and Forest Rambles. 



of fresh blood from northern Europe is small, and intermar- 

 riages keep up a repetition of one stock, so that, when con- 

 tinued generation after generation, I have no doubt the con- 

 ditions just referred to would, in combination with climate, 

 produce a deterioration of race which nothing but the former 

 and a change of living are likely to obviate. 



With reference to the reclamation of the forests and the 

 persons best suited to cope with the rigours of the climate 

 and other difficulties, although I do not wish to enlarge 

 on this subject, I cannot resist recording a few remarks in 

 connection with emigration, more especially my own impres- 

 sions (such as they are) regarding the description of men best 

 suited to contend against a trying climate and reclaim the 

 primitive forests. I think it will be the opinion of persons un- 

 prejudiced in every way, that the young agricultural labourer, 

 with a perfectly sound constitution, and accustomed to the 

 hardships and fatigues incident to his calling, is by far the 

 best pioneer of cultivation in the backwoods of Canada. 

 Such do not soon get disheartened through the asperities of 

 the soil or weather, and being unaccustomed to great expecta- 

 tions, are more easily contented with the small returns that, as 

 matters of course, will attach themselves to the fortunes of the 

 first settler. While on the other hand, as has not unfrequently 

 been the case, gentlemen farmers, and officers of the army, 

 settle in the wilderness; the latter, captivated by the shooting 



buckwheat and wheaten cakes hot, and often undercooked, must be 

 pernicious to persons of weak digestion. Mr. Hitchcock, in his " Scientific 

 Report on Maine" (p. 358), makes the following observation on the 

 apparent effects of buckwheat on the physique of the French settlers in 

 the more secluded portions of the State : " It may be a matter of fancy 

 on our part, but we thought we could see some connection between the 

 physical energy of the farmers in that section and the crops that they 

 raise. There was an apparent listlessness and lack of physical stamina in 

 those Acadians who cultivated little else than buckwheat for bread, com- 

 pared with those who paid attention to the culture of the wheat and other 

 cereals. Whether the buckwheat diet was the cause, and the debility the 

 effect, or vice versa, we will not here attempt to decide." 



