IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) ^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 I^|2j8 |25 ^ 1^ 92.2 £ |j£ 1 2£ ^ wmtM ^^ ^T ^>v 'r d^ Kiotograidiic Sciences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTM.N.y. USM (716)«n-4503 '^,V^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadidn Institute for Hi8to>' (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la dsrniAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le CBs: le symbols — ►signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right end top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams Illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmfo A des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque !e document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* i partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droito, et de haut en bes, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessslre. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 .1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 i . % -,.? \ I'f k% ^4l V-CI^ ''^ !r* i ,1 ii2 7r EMIGRATION. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND "^ IP BRIEF BUT FAITHFUL ACCOUNT OF THIS FINE COLONY; SHEWING SOME OF ITS ADVANTAGES AS A PLACE OP SETTLEMENT; ■ m li..*AESSED TO THOSE BRITISH FARMERS, AND OTHERS, WHO ARE DETERMINED TO ' . EMIGRATE, AND TRY THEIR FORTUNE IN A NEW COUNTRY: WITH DIRECTIONS HOW TO PROCEED, WHAT TO PRPVIDE, AND WHAT STEPS TO TAKE, ON ARRIVINO IN THE COLONY. fr*-:. By J. L. LEWELLIN. LONDON: RKPBINTED AND KEPUBLI8HBD FOR THE EDITOB} . BY W. M. KNIGHT AND CO., BISHOP'S-COURT, OLJ> BAILFf. 1838. :''»?'-" ^^ ^■: y X / "rm' i-T ^ DEDICATION. To His Excellency Lieutenant Colonel Aretas William Young, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Island, Prince Edward, and its Dependencies, Chancellor, Vice-Admiral, and Ordinary of the same, &c. &c. &c. May it please your Excellency, Your condescension in permitting the following humble attempt to benefit this rising and fertile Colony, to be dedicated to your Excellency, manifests that you feel not only a desire to discharge faithfully the duties attached io your high station, as the Representative of our patriotic King, but demonstrates also your earnest wish to advance the interests of the people committed to your Government, by making the capabilities of the Island more generally known ; and thereby inducing to come amon^ us, farmers who would be likely to advance our prosperity by their practical knowledge, industry, and capital. This has been the single object of the writer ; and he feels gra- tified, that the gentlemen who have perused the manuscript have pronounced it to be a faithful delineation; and, so far from exaggerating, some have considered it as not doing ample justice to the real advantages of Prince Edward Island. When the rapid advt\nces of the Colony, during the admi- nistration of your Excellency's predecessor, are duly estimated, it may not partake of enthusiasm to anticipate, that, under the auspices of your government, a still more rapid progression may be realized ; for, although your Excellency may not be a ^Wi wjB^fmmmsT 4 DEDICATION. practical Agriculturist, yet the decision, sound judgment^ and general knowledge, which mark the comnrencement of your administration, justify the hope that you will discriminate the true interests and re^l advantages of the people of your charge ; and that your parental care, in connection with the energy of your conduct, will lead to a degree of prosperity which will cause every Colonist to deplore the arrival of the painful period when you. shall be removed from amongst us. That your Expediency may be made a blessii^ to the inhab- itants of this Colony, and that yourself and family may i^rti- cipate every temporal, and eternal felicity^ are the ardeat wishes of. Your Excellency's Most obliged and faithful servant, J. L. LEWELLIN. PREFACE, i 1 In December, 1826, the writer of the following hints embarked from Prince Edward Island for England on business. Having no fellow passenger, and with a view to beguile the stormy hours of a winter passage across the Atlantic, as well as chiefly to redeem a beautiful Island from the most unaccountable neglect, he employed himself in sketching a familiar account of the Colony, which he expected, when he left England the following spring, might have been published. A recent advertbement by the Committee of the Central Agricultural Society induced him to attempt a revision of the rough manuscript ; but so great and happy alterations and improvements have generally obtained in this Colony, that it would have been easier, perhaps, to drop the old account, than endeavour to adapt it to the rapid progress the country has made during the short period of six years! This remark will explain why some passages in this little sketch may appear wanting in justice to the present actual state of the Island. In the year 1824, when the writer first arrived in the Colony, scarcely a stack of grain was to be seen throughout the country ; now, almost every farmer has a well filled stack-yard. The number of coasting vessels, and the export of agricultural produce, have made a con js- ponding advance. Then, not a travelling waggon (the general carriage of North America) was to be seen ; now, they are quite common on the roads, as are gigs and other vehicles. For this prosperity, the Colonists are mainly indebted to the seven years administration of the late Lieutenant Governor, Colonel Ready, aided by a liberal and enlightened Legislature, whose measures and suggestions for the good of the country ever met his ready support and coni^urrence. During this period, the greater part of the Revenue was applied in making extensive lines of roads and bridges, and other local improvements. His Excellency well understood the wants of a young country, and was zealously attached to farming ; a fortuitous circumstance, but of great importance to a people whose pursuits are and must be decidedly agricultural. Under his patronage several Societies, for promoting good farming, the improvement of stuck, &c. 6 PREFACE. have been formed ; and the Colony owes to him the introducti(m, at a very considerable cost, of a thorough-bred entire horse, and also a mare ; the former has greatly added to the value of this particular stock, great prices having been obtained or offered for the descendants of Roncesvalles. In addition to thete. Colonel Ready imported cattle of the Alderney. Suffolk, and North Devon breeds ; and superior Leicester and South-down sheep. The author of this little work pledges himself to the reader, that the statements he has given are the genuine convictions of his own mind, and, as he believes, agreeable to truth-— that he has not been employed to write it by any person whomsoever — neither does he expect to derive any advantage beyond what may arise from the fulfilment of his desire to see a number of good farmers, who may be cramped in their circumstances at home, occupying land in a fertile Island, where he anticipates that his days will come to an end in the rational and useful pursuit of agriculture. Here are no direct taxes, but Statute Labour on the Highways — no poor-rates, no tithes,- no yellow fever, no ague, no hurricanes, and few cases of consumption. Happy would the writer be should his labours prove the means of collecting around., him a number of British Farmers, who will persevere in their own improved modes and management, and not be drawn aside by the bad practices and make-shifts of any about them, until their conduct and perseverance place them in such comfortable and independent circum- stances as shall constrain others to tread in their steps ; and thus have an influence in brmging about that ample prosperity which the Colony is very capable of attaining to, and which needs only a little good management on the part of the proprietors, and other gentlemen in situations to lead the opinions and guide the actions of others. BRIEF ACCOUNT OF PRIiNCE EDWARD ISLAND. When a man's circumstanees or his inclination have induced him to make up his mind to quit the land of his birth, and court the smiles of fortune in a new country, it may be of consequence to him to be truly informed of some place to which he may direct his course with a prospect of mo- derate success and certain independence, if he act with common industry, prudence, and integrity. It is with a view to convey such information that the following remarks are penned by one, who is himself an Emigrant, and has spent some years in Prince Edward Island in such employment as necessarily brought him to be minutely acquainted with the soil, customs, manners, modes of busi< ness, and methods of farming in the Colony ; his judgment being assisted by sixteen years experi- ence in the cultivation of a farm in England — and who would deeply regret to put it into any man s power to reproach him with having wantonly or interestedly excited expectations which could not be realized. It may sometimes happen, that persons of a fickle temper, or who may feel disaffected toward the government under which they live, or not over fond of work, dream that, by going to some other country, they shall reap, in a miraculous •I 8 manner, a golden harvest without that sweat of the brow which is the portion of mankind in our fallen and degenerate state : to such it may be said — stay where you are, a new country has nothing to offer, and will have no charms for you. But there are hundreds, nay thousands, of Farmers in Britain, men of industry and sobriety, who have either lost great part of their property by the villany of others, or suffered in their cir- cumstances by changes in the times ; or are feeling great difficulty in meeting a heavy rent, and those taxes (assessed, highway, tithes, church and poor), which, in addition to wages, oblige the Farmer to put his hand continually into his pocket. To these, a new country may afford great relief, more especially if they can muster up one, two, or three hundred pounds to take with them. To give up one's country, to forsake the scenes of childhood, and the endeared associations of maturer age, may be like giving up the ghost to some sensible or sensitive minds; and where a great aversion is felt to quit a person's native land, it may seldom happen that the party is ever com- pletely reconciled to the change, be the advan- tages ever so great. Individuals, entertaining such views and feelings, should remain where they are, in case their circumstances will allow it. They may be well assured, that no place in the world can altogether equal their own dear native land, take it for all in all-^its freedom, accommo- dations, facilities of travelling, comforts, luxuries, noble institutions, means of civil and religious education, &c. are not to be met with elsewhere in the same universal degree and extent. — Biit, alas! is there no offset, no dark side to this glow- ing picture? Have not the singular and asto- nishing ev* nts of the last forty years brought it L J) to pass, that the rich and the poor are absorbing the middle classes of society? And how many are there, in these times of pecuniary distress — farmers as well as others, who once had the means to enjoy and relish the matured luxuries and advantages of Britain — now feeling consider- able difficulty, and much distress of mind, in pro- viding for the various calls made on them for payment, and for supplying the absolute wants of a family - If farmers, who are so situated, or have hard landlords to deal with, who will not lower a rent that is too high to be paid — who are daily seeing their little property get less, and are fearing lest themselves and families may come to the Parish, should have courage to cross the sea, let them gather up the fragments of their property, and commence farming in the fertile Colony of Prince Edward Island. There is another class of persons to whom an invitation may be given. In innumerable instances there are in farmers' families young persons who have been long looking out for a place to settle in with the object of their affections, to whom they would gladly be united could they get a Farm with any prospect of paying the rent, and bringing up a family ; butj no, they have waited year after year in vain — there is no room for them ; where there is so much elbowing and jostling, and every corner and every post it occu- pied ; where, as soon as a place becomes vacant, twenty or thirty applicants offer for it ; the rent is hereby kept up, and the too bold takers are but too often ruined, and give opportunity for another scramble. These young farmers must have some property, or they could not take a farm. With this, they would do much better in a new country than in i{ B lU England — as one hundred pounds here would accomplish as much as three, if managed with the same industry and prudence as in the old country. Industrious labourers too, who have no pros- pect of becoming master-men in their native land, may (as thousands, without a shilling, often have) become Farmers and Landowners in the Colonies. All those who are living upon a small fixed in- come, and find it convenient to reside where the necessaries cf life are cheap, may enjoy a retreat much 10 their satisfaction in Charlotte-Town, the capital of the Island ; where every convenience and many luxuries are to be had on reas'onable terms. The present uncertain and depressed state of West India property may induce persons resident in those Colonies to wish to remove. Several families have settled in Prince Edward Island, from Bermuda and the Sugar Islands, without appearing to feel any inconvenience from the winter. Frequent opportunities occur of advan- tageously investing considerable sums in the purchase of real Estate. The rage for emigration must have increased rapidly in Britain. The number of Emigrants to Canada has doubled, and during the past season reached to the very astonishing amount of 50,000, (the twentieth part of a million !) These have to travel seven or e'ght hundred miles to the Upper Province, after they land at Quebec ; but it is highly probable that all would not pass by Prince Edward Island, superior as it h allowed to be t( the neighbouring Colonies, had they been ma^c acquainted with the fertility of its soil, its local advantages for fishing and commerce, and its other privileges, of which it may be proper to give some account. 11 This Colony, formerly called St. John's, is si- tuated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; having Nova Scotia to the South, Cape Breton to the East, New Brunswick to the West, with the Magdalen Islands and the Gulf on the North ; containing more than l,300,00()acres ; and, by the census of 1827, about 24, 600nn habitants, now greatly in- creased. The climate is very salubrious ; many British Settlers declaring that they are without ailment, although they never knew what conti- nued health was in their native land : and I have heard one gentleman say, he could kill, in the way of exertion and fatigue, a hundred such puny creatures as he was when he arrived in the country. The air is dry, which renders the severe cold of winter more tolerable than the raw damp cold of England, which occasions shivering and chatter- ing of the teeth, very unusual here. The tempe- rature is less severe than in most parts of Canada ; and although the Winter is long, it much assists the farmer, fertilizing the earth, probably equal to half a dressing of manure, and enabling it to produce tolerable crops under very indifferent management. The soil is a deep sound loamy sand ; the gene- ral subsoil clay, as appears by its being met with in almost every cellar, and also by the abundance of fine water everywhere thrown up to the surface in Springs and Brooks. It is wrought by two horses, and is admirably adapted to the climate. A more clayey surface would too long delay put- ting in the crops at Spring. This inconvenience is partially felt in some parts, where there is a considerable portion of argil in the soil. It is somewhat singular that while the Winter wheat of Britain thrives best in a heavy soil, the Spring wheat sown in the Colony deligljts in the lighter ''{ % vtv' ^*^ 12 It ' i lands. Vegetation is far more rapid than in Bri- tain ; here, as soon as the winter garment melts and discovers the surface made brown and russet by long continued frost, the animating rays of the Sun, in latitude 46 deg. arouse the dormant but refreshed powers of the earth, which soon assumes a beautiful verdure, and continues to give evidence of its fertility, until the commencement of Winter. Grain sown in May L reaped in August.* The general face of the country is only a little uneven or undulated, but in some parts hills are found of moderate height, and few countries have a greater uniformity of soil; or, according to their extent, so small a portion of land wholly incapable of cultivation : none can be better wa- tered — for it abounds in navigable rivers, fresh water brooks, and springs of excellent quality. Mode of Tenure, — Upon the conqi^est of the Island from the French, about 70 years since, it was granted by the British Government, in Town- ships of 20,000 acres each. The Proprietors have hitherto been too gene- rally negligent of their property. Living com- monly in Britain, and possessing other means, they generally have given too little attention to their Estates in Prince Edward Island ; neglect- ed to make the Colony more known. It has been remarked by a practical man, who had travelled much in North America, that the soil of Prince Edward Island is superior to * Although Prince Edward Island jhares not the wild extravagancies and ro- mantic scenery which characterize her neighbours, the Traveller will be de- lighted with her milder and more feminine beauties and graces; nor will the sentimentalist want subjects for his pen, when he contemplates the asure expanse of ocean, the noble navigable river and its busy craft, the alternate forest, of va- ried hue, and the well cultivated farm, displaying the solid supports and com- forts of the rural life— but the sole object of the writer of these hints is to make them useful to Emigrants, by detailing only such facts and circumstances as may benefit and assist the Emigrant in the serious affair of beginning the world in a young country. 13 .. I ■ ; that of the maritime States of the Union, and ex- ceeded only by the back lands about the Missis- sippi, the State of Vermont, and parts of Upper Canada — but what judicious farmer would prefer a heavy clay to a fertile sand in a country having a short season, unless his object were grazing only? The present mode of obtaining land in Prince Edward Island is, either by lease for a long term of years at Is. to Is. 6d. per acre per annum — one or more years free, then 3d. per acre, and increasing yearly at that rate to full rent ; or by purchase at from ten to twenty shillings and upward per acre. Thisis to be understood of woodland that is wholly unimproved. Some proprietors have had farms j|| fall into hand with more or less of cleared lana on them ; these of course are let or sold at an ad- vanced sum, but commonly for less than the cost of clearing. Emigrants, who might not choose to sit down on a wood farm, would have many op- portunities of purchasing the leasehold, or free- hold, and improvements of partly cleared farms ; and it would be wise in those possessing the means to do so. When the people are determined to emigrate, and several in a neighbourhood are so inclined, they would find much f^omfort in keeping together, and again forming a little society in their newly adopted homes. Fifty-seven families might settle in a square of three miles, and each have 100 acres, with 60 over, which the proprietor might l give for a school and place of worship. Such a ■ Settlement could maintain a Minister of the Gos- pel, and Schoolmaster, and employ a good trades- ! man in each calling, and a pleasant thing it would be to have fifty- seven neighbour-settlers within a mile and a half of the centre of the settlement! The foregoing remarks are chiefly introductory, and affect the question— Who ought to emigrate ? 14 It is hoped they will tend to guide and assist in making up the minds, on the subject of emigra* ting, of very many who are doubting and perplex- ed, not knowing what to do for the best, though they are suffering in their feelings and in their circumstances, and would fain quit their present situation were they not withheld by attachment to dear relations and friends, habits and objects^ dread of the sea, and going to a new country among strangers— being quite at a loss how and where to proceed. There is something terrific in all this to the minds of persons who have never journied far from their own fireside ; but the writer has experienced that the anticipation is worse than the reality. Circumstances induced him to wish to emigrate ; but then, the cold winter of America, and a thousand difficulties presented themselves. Well, he embarked with a large family, had a long and boisterous passage, arrived, and found the country so far beyond his expecta- tion, that he can readily say, his attachment to it is such, that he has not the shadow of a wish to reside again in England, and nothing, except, perhaps, a large income, would induce him to do being fully satisfied, that, although a settler, so who has no (Capital, will have many difficulties to encounter in the infancy of his undertaking, yet there is a certain prospect of the necessaries of life ; with, each succeeding year, an increase of prosperity to every sober, industrious farmer, who is acquainted with his business ; and an absence of all anxiety about children, who are likely to do much better than their parents. There is some- thing, too, in the breast of a liberty-loving Briton, which would stimulate him to encounter a little present privation to secure his future in- dependence, and relieve himself from the pain of being asked for money which, owing to uncon- 15 trollable circumstances, he may not be able to pay ; and there is a pleasure also in creating, as it were, a farm out of the wilderness, which, with every returning season, yields increased cause for exultation. The general mode of conducting a Farm is slovenly, often wretched. Cattle, sheep, and pigs, are turned into the woods, or on the shore, to get their own living during summer ; and fre- quently as much time is lost in seeking the stock as would clear enough land to support them in good pasture. Few farms have any subdivi- sion fences. A patch is ploughed here for wheat, another there for barley; the intervening spots are mown for hay ; and yet, under all this want of judicious arrangement, it is astonishing what returns are obtained. A like management in England would not give the Farmer bread and cheese. But there are many meritorious excep- tions to this cobbling sort of system. Many farmers display in their management an accurate and intimate knowledge of their difficult calling : these are developing the powers of the Island soil ; and their example, in connection with the exertions of the Agricultural Society, are ope- rating a great and satisfactory change. The first operation of settlement upon a wood &i*m is to cut down the timber, which is done abaut a yard from the ground ; it is then junked into nine-feet lengths, and burnt; the trunks which remain are piled, and again burnt, until the settler is enabled to put in his potato crop, which is done by gathering with the hoe such mould as the roots will admit of into hills» in eax:h of which four or five sets are planted. Wheat, «own broad-cast, and covered with the hoe^ generally succeeds ; or oats, among which timothy-seed is, or ought to be, sown for hay ; II it L. I IfJ and the land suffered to remain under grass till the stumps will come out— commonly in five or six years, if the timber had been hard wood. The Americans are said to manage this process much better, by cutting all the trees, under six inches diameter, level with the ground, which enables them to use the harrow in sowing their wheat crop immediately. With it, they sow timothy and clover, which is mown two years, and fed as long ; they then plough between the stumps for a crop, and next season stump and level. The great want of a new Settler is hay ; therefore, in case he could take out goods or money to pay for clearing ten acres in this method, he would be enabled to keep a good stock soon after his commencement ; and the wheat crop ought to pay the expense, which might be about £3 : 10s. per acre, or £35 cur- rency for the ten acres. The wheat produce, at fifteen bushels per acre, and 5s. per bushel, would be £37 : 10s. An opinion hp-s been expressed by a Lowland Scotch Farmer, that if the Settlers wrought only three days in the week, as they are obliged to do in the old country every day, they would obtain a sufficiency to supply their wants. And it may be observed with truth, that it is probable no country, in a parallel or similar climate, will, or does, make a more grateful return for any labour or expense bestowed on its soil. If a piece of land be moderately dressed with stable manure, and imperfectly tilled, it will pro- duce 300 bushels of potatoes, heaped Winchester measure, per acre, although cultivated only with a plough. After potatoes, wheat is sown, some- times without any ploughing — produce 20 bushels and upwards. It is difficult to say what the ave- rage return of barley and oats may be, the 17 management is so various; bnt on land in any suitable condition, five quarters of oats, and four quarters of barley, may be calculated on in ordi- narily fruitful years. The writer has had at the rate of 70 bushels per acre of oats in some small experiments made on land recently brought into cultivation, and preparing for a garden. Crop, 1830, his wheat averaged 30 bushels per acre — inferior the past season. Last Spring, a ridg6 of potatoes was put in with the spade, without ma- nure ; a perch was dug to ascertain the acreabl^ produce, which amounted to 480 bushels, being three bushels per perch. Some persons, indeed, do not allow the soil to be so fertile as the writer apprehends ; but may not this arise from injudi- cious management rather than from any defici- ency in the soil ? Some farmers sow timothy and clover seed with the wheat (the practice has now become pretty general), others trust to what the soil may throw up of itself; and so kindly is the land for producing herbage, particularly the white clover *, that a ton of this fine food, mixed indeed with couch grass and other weeds, is sometimes Out per acre, without one grain of seed being sown by the Settler. — Can this be bad lapdt The timothy is a most valuable gi*ass, i« easily kept distinct from other plants, its small weighty seed is readily separated from the stalk, and very large hay crops are produced by it in well ma- naged land. Horned cattle are wintered on straw, which, in connection with their being sum- mered in the woods, occasions a small return of dairy productions from the milch cows. Many * Trefolium ripens, which becomes very troublesome in garden ground. Earljr in the seuon, a bed was sown on new land with the early garden stone turnip ; the worm attacked and spoiled the crop, consequently no hoeing was given ; and by the fall of the year, the white clover became a cnmi^ete carpet, every where matted together. The ground had previously been dressed with kelp, but never had any stable or barton dung. C II i. 18 m settlers, who keep from six to eight, consume all the produce in their families ! but those who feed them in good pasture get a profitable return. Butter sells at 8d. to 12d. per lb. Cheese 6d. to 8d. Potatoes Is. Wheat 4s. 6d. to 5s, Oats Is. to Is. 6d. Barley 3s. per Winchester bushel. Beef 2id. to 5d. per lb. Mutton about the same. Pork 2|d. to 4d. Hay £2 to £3 per ton, and upwards. Besides the grain and potatoes mentioned above, most farmers grow patches of flax, which may be said to thrive well, considering that the seed is never changed. Hops make a capital return, and are almost a certain crop. Hemp also grows well ; and, indeed, every plant any- wise suited to the climate. Labour is still rather high, as it ever will be where land is cheap, and the people compara- tively few. Farming men-servants get 30s. to 40s. per month. Girls 12s. to 15s. Day la- bourers 2s. to 3s. and food, or 4s. without. Pro- visions are generally found to all workmen. Cutting down and junking timber, per acre, 30s. to 40s. ; if burnt, 50s. to 60s. Stumping and levelling, forty shillings to three pounds. Black- smith's work has been much lowered within two years, but is still costly. The manures to be obtained are kelp, other seaweed or eelgrass, muscle-mud, marsh-mud from banks in the rivers, and other mud found in swampy places. Much fern grows in parts where the fire has run ; but this capital source of amend- ing the land is wholly neglected. It is the com- mon practice to penn all the neat cattle on some border of the cleared ground every night during summer, and this, with the manure obtained from the byres, or beast-houses, and the stables, is all some farmers depend on. The general surface 1 ' 19 of Prince Edward Island being sandy, in some places light but deep, the clay, which is every where met with beneath, will hereafter prove a valuable treasure to the farmer, by enabling him to grow crops to almost any extent, through the argillacious principle so conveniently at hand. The only stone common in the Colony is sand- stone; but in the neighbouring provinces, both limestone and coal abound ; and lime would be a capital manure to bring in, sweeten, and fertilize new land. But whether the materials could be brought, and the lime burnt at an e pense to pay the farmer where labour is dear, is doubtful; neither can it be expected that it will be soon tried, when manures almost at the door are neglected. Fences are made with poles, called longers, fourteen to fifteen feet long, eight in number, placed one above another in a diagonal form, and secured at the angles, where the pannels meet and the poles lock into each other, by stakes driven into the ground either in an upright or standing direction ; the topmost pole, or longer, stouter than the others, rests in the crutch made by these stakes, or pickets, when the stakes angle ; when upright, they are secured or bound together by withes. A few judicious persons have commenced permanent fences, by planting quicksets ; other plants, the spruce, fir, &c. have been tried ; the latter afford shelter as well as bounds. The hawthorn grows very kindly and rapidly. Live fences might be made of beech, or white maple; the latter is destroyed with difficulty. Dry goods, or British merchandise and manu- factures, bore very high prices some few years since. At the present time, they may be ob- tained very reasonable in Charlotte-Town for il 20 prompt cash payment. In many country places great prices are still charged; but should a fishery be established, trade extended, or the land better cultivated, and its surplus produce sent to a cash market, either of which would in- troduce money into the Colony, goods will be sold still lower ; and should all these branches of national industry and national wealth prosper-— and prosper they must — I had almost said, with my Uncle Toby, prosper they shall ; then, some of the superabundant capital of Britain will, no doubt, find profitable employment here; and what ardent and enthusiastic mind will then fix the limits of the advancement of the Colony? The Island, Prince Edward, has long since been described as the Garden of Canada. It has lately been designated the Sicily of North America. In some, future period, it may become the emporium of an extensive commerce. At present, there are a great number of vessels, from 60 to 100 tons and upwards, built in the Colony every season, and sold in Newfoundland for the seal fishery. There are no manufactures carried on in the Colony, except domestic ones for the use of the farmer's family. The settlers generally make of their wool a very useful cloth, called homespun, worth from 4s. 6d. to 5s. per yard, which serves the men for jackets and trowsers, whilst a finer sort supplies the females with gowns for winter use. They also manufacture blankets, stockings or socks, and mittins :. the wool is simply dyed with indigo. Some families make the greater part of their table, bed, and personal linen, from flax, often using with it cotton warp of American manufacture. Leather is tanned by most settlers from their own hides ; and there is need of it, shoes being very expensive to purchase. The Coloniists make a great part of the soap and m I 21 candles they use ; but the greater number bum fish oil for light. People, generally, do not pro- cure for themselves half the comforts they might enjoy, with a little more exertion and persever- ance. All that a farm will produce in England for the farmer's table may be produced here, and of excellent quality; but in the country parts there are no butchers' or bakers' shops ; yet the settlers sometimes sell part of what meat they kill, and sometimes lend it. Indeed, there is amongst them a great deal of that spirit of hospi- tality which is' pleasing in every country, and more particularly grateSil and needful in a young one. Gardens and orchards are generally neg- lected, although apples and other fruits thrive well ; and no country can boast of finer vege- tables, which are not so early as in England. Many of the Settlers live very much on fish (herring, mackerel, cod, lobsters, &c.) and pota- toes, oatmeal porridge, and milk ; but people, generally, are getting into more expensive habits, in food, dress, dwellings, and furniture. Tea may be purchased from Ss. 6d. to 5s. per pound. Sugar 6d. Rum 3s. 9d. to 5s. per gallon. Here we may pause, and exclaim — Verily this is a good poor man's country ! Here, a settler may begin farming without a shilling in his pocket, and obtain employment at such wages as will not only enable him to live, but also to pro- ceed with his farm ; a country where the unfor- tunate, but industrious, may find a refuge, with a certainty of food and raiment; and save himself from being brought to day-labour or forced to seek parochial relief in the place which once wit- nessed his prosperity. It might answer, also, for persons with small means and large families, if they could purchase partly cleared farms, and were willing to labour a part of their time. Offi- .■\ .1 22 ft I, PI' iij I' \ ■ cers on half-pay might find it a retreat not to be despised. It is a growing country — growing in value, in importance, in power to yield the com- forts of life, and in the respectability of its society, to which e»^ery creditable emigrant would be a valuable addition ; and it may be an inducement to some minds, that a man of moderate attain- ments shines like a little star in new and small communities, who would be unregarded in any well improved circle in Britain. Emigrants may enjoy in the island advantages in many respects preferable or superior to what they would meet with in Upper Canada, where British goods are dearer and produce cheaper. Here would be no long journey to perform after the voyage, requiring a considerable expenditure ; but the settler can go upon a farm immediately on his arrival ; and this is a great convenience to those who bring their furniture, implements, a few goods, &c. ; and all who can, should do so. We have a greater choice of markets ; the Cana- dian settler must sell to the merchant or store- keeper; the Prince Edward Island farmer can ship his productions to Halifax, Newfoundland, Miramichi, &c. And a trade to the West Indies has been commenced, which would absorb all our surplus beef, pork, butter, hams, flour, oats, and other articles, should it be found desirable to pro- secute this commerce. But this should not be the 'S**, at least, as it regards oats *, which must be ^ped to Britain in as large quantities as pos- le. England is a purchaser of foreign oats to * By the Census of 1827, there were then about 3,500 fanners in the Colony : each of these producing 100 bushels of oats for exportation, would give 43,750 quarters. Every farmer might very easily feed pork for two barrels, no soil or climate being more congenial to the production of potatoes. These two articles of export might soon become equivalent to Sixty Thousand Pounds per annum. 23 a great extent; and P. E. Island grows a very considerable surplus, and of superior quality. "Why, then, not send them directly to the home market? — especially as the old country pays cash. The Colonies chiefly offer truck or barter. ** The spirit of improvement and inquiry is abroad :" should it lead to the establishment of a grain trade direct to Britain, and of fisheries, these would encourage an improved husbandry and ex- tended commerce. And, then, such are the natural advantages of the Island, that a consider- .ble share of prosperity must follow — nay, few Colonies are likely to thrive more. Another ad- vantage attends settling here : if, by any means, the party does not like the country, he will have abundant opportunities to quit it again. Having said as much as may be necessary, to convey to the mind of a farmer an idea of the cost of land and labour in Prince Edward Island, with the returns of each crop ; by which, he will be enabled to judge, from his capital and the strength of his family, how far he would be likely to succeed in the Coluny ; the writer will now en- deavour to offer a few hints as to what he should provide, and how he should act, when he has made up his mind on the prudence and propriety of quitting a country which no longer offers him any reasonable prospect of obtaining the comforts or the necessaries which a family require. Furniture,"^ A. family, intending to emigrate and settle in North America, should take with them what furniture they will need, in case they already have it. Some persons have had to la- ment selling their goods by auction for, perhaps, a third part of the value, under the idea that, where timber may be had for little more than the trouble of getting, such things must be cheap; jl but the difference in the amount of a tradesman's I i 24 If; * pi' ' or mechanic's wages makes them dearer; and they are not everywhere to be procured, as there are but few professed cabinet-makers in the Co- lony. Bedding is very essential, particularly blankets, which are generally dear, in the country parts at lea^ % and sometimes scarce. Clothing, '■^Wsna clothing is required in winter. The men generally wear stout flannel or serge drawers, and a pair of socks over their stockings in very cold weather ; but it is more convenient to dispense with stockings altogether, and use long drawers with socks only. Two pair of mittins are sometimes required in travelling. Trowsers are generally worn, and short or round jackets commonly. Blue serge, or stout stuff*, makes very suitable winter gowns for women and girls, who use strong printed cottons, ging- hams, or Scotch homespun, in the summer. Ca^ lico and striped shirting cotton garments are the most common. Fustian is good summer clothing for men and boys, the heat being greater than in England during the season. Of shoes, a good stock should be provided, being both dear and scarce, or difficult to be obtained — at least in country places. It would be a great benefit, if every emigrant could take two or three years' clothing with him, that he might have little occa* sion to spend money for such articles until his farm should make him a return ; money so laid out would pay a good interest. Food for tlie Passage, — Where females or children are in a family, it may be proper and necessary to have sugar and tea or coffee ; but, in general, it may be well to avoid cooking as much as possible. Persons unused to the sea, find it very awkward to attend at the cookhouse, especially in bail weather, even if not prevented by sea-sickness ; and the fire is much occupied, 2o where there are passengers in addition to the ship's company : therefore, biscuit, butter, cheese, bacon, ham, eggs, onions, &c., which require httle or no preparation, would be the preferable articles for sea-stock ; with one or two large plain cakes, apples, and spice. A little brandy, also, may be useful — nay, required medicinally; and salts, castor-oil, rhubarb, magnesia, hartshorn, lauda- num, &c., with oatmeal * for gruel. The passagr to Prince Edward Island may occupy thirty days, but provisions should be laid in for seven weeks. The Irish Emigrants, who find themselves, usually live on oatmeal-porridge, sometimes sweet- ened with molasses — a wholesome diet, b^it not common among Englishmen; and, for dinner, herrings and potatoes : nor do they always take enough of this economical food. It is said, that if milk be drawn from the cow into glass bottles that have been scalded and well dried, then corked tight, put into a boiler in cold water, and boiled sometime, it will keep sweet during a long voyage in any climate. To pre- serve eggs from taint, immerge them about half a minute in boiling water, to destroy the living principle. Passage.'--As freights are noxv low, and many vessels cannot obtain charters to pay expenses and interest of capital, it is probable that, in case a number of farmers, and otiiers desirous to emi- grate, were to apply to a proprietor, or some commercial friend, arrangements would be made to accommodate them on the best terms with a vessel from the nearest place of embarkation. The passage-money, for persons going in the steerage from Liverpool to North America, does • Oitmeal, for porridge, should form a chief article of the Emigrant's sea- stock ; not only on account of the facility of preparing it, but becatiso of its being a most wholesome food, calculated to retain the body in a state of health. , 1 , 1.; 2G not exceed three pounds each, finding themselves. Hull is a convenient place to embark, for persons on the East coast ; and timber vessels sail thence to Miramichi, distant from the North Cape of Prince Edward Island about thirty miles only. Bristol would suit persons in the '^ est of Eng- land (but the charges from hence have been very high) ; and Plymouth, those on the South. Vessels also sail from Bideford for the Colony, and occa- sionally one from London. Goods. — Should persons emigrating have money to take with them, they should purchase dollars when to be obtained at four shillings. In the Co- lony, they are worth 5s. 6d. eacL, currency, and may become worth six shillings. Sovereigns, also, answer well, yielding twenty-six to twenty - seven shillings currency. Or the Emigrant might leave part of his means in safe hands, and draw Bills of Exchange, which would give him an ad- vantage — the difference of currency being 10 per cent., and the premium on Bills not likely to be less ; indeed, it has been as high as 22 and 22^ per cent. To bring sterling into currency, add one-ninth ; for instance — £100 sterling, gives £111 : 2s. 2Fd currency. To reduce currency to sterling, deduct one-ttiith. If the Emigrant take part money and part goods, coarse articles would answer best ; as blue and white serge, stout calicos— particularly 36- inch bowed calico — red and other flannels, slops, Scotch caps, stripe cotton shirting, muslins, stuffs, ginghams, second blue cloth, shoes, crockery and tin ware, and the like. Those who may venture to take out goods, should remember, that there are in every country persons who are quite ready to purchase on credit, and perfectly careless about making payment ; and they hud better cry over their goods, than after them — as many have If. f 27 done. They will have call enough for them in exchange for labour and necessaries. The high value of money, and the decreased price of goods, render it more safe for the agricultural emigrant^ not to step out of his own proper calling to be- come a trader. The storekeepers now sell very reasonable for cash ; and almost double the labour may be hired for money than any other mode of payment would command. Rum drinking is the crying sin of North Ame- rica; and many an otherwise fine fellow does it lead to idleness, to debt, to uselessness. Guard against it ; abhor the intemperate use of ardent spirits as your deadliest and subtlest foe, that is ready to destroy your faculties, your health, your judgment — your soul ! and to beggar your family. Do not forget to put up your Bible, with any other good books ; and school-books for your children, if you nave a family. Education is now estimated at something like its value. The Le- gislature have shown a laudable desire to promote it. May they never cease their efforts on this interesting subject, until the holy wish of our late pious Monarch, George III., shall be accomplished, as it regards this Colony — his philanthropic and christian wish, that " every child in his domi- nions should be able to read the Bible." Emigrants,, having it in their power, would do well to bring out some good stock. An Entire Horse, of the Suffolk Punch breed, with lively action, would prove a great acquisition, and pay the importer well. The Island horses are very hardy, and good of their size ; but now that we have good carriage roads, they would be better with a little heavier bone. As the Prince Ed- ward Islanders may find it profitable to breed for exportation, and as mules sell at considerable prices in the West Indies, any person importing f i :•;; i 1 i q I i i 'u 1 W ! i ' 28 one or more Spanish or Italian male asses, not less than fourteen hands high, would render the Colony a great benefit. Devonshire and other cattle have been intro- duced, much to the improvement of the Island stock, which had dwindled in size. Until neat stock, particularly milch cows, shall be kept in pasture, little amendment can be expected ; for, as the country becomes settled, and the number of cattle increases, the means of their support in the woods and swamps diminishes. A small animal, in such case, must be more profitable than a large one. The polled Galloways would be a most desirable breed, giving milk and meat on moderate keep; or the hardy Carmarthen, with its thick skin and aptitude to fatten. The sheep and pigs are greatly improved ; but there could be no objection to the importation of a few tups, of the breeds of New Leicester, Dart* moor, West Country Natts, or Cotswold ; or to the introduction of swine of quick growth, light offal, and disposition to early maturity. There are good ploughs in the Colony, and all implements, harness, houses, &c., are rapidly improving ; but there is still a miserable defici- ency of winnowing^machines, chaff-cutters *, and other labour-saving implements. A good machine for washing clothes, is a desideratum. Young people, who have no children of size to do them much service, would find it conve- nient to have the help of a hand-boy or two, in case they could afford to take such with them as apprentices. When a body of Emigrants go out together, * Chaff-cutters, by enabling the farmer to mix upland hay, marsh hay, and straw, in any advisable or required quantities, and compel the atock to eat what* ever may be set before them, give a great advantage, making the fodder serve nearly double the numlior of entile; a vast improvement, where the winter SL'uson is severe and Ions. 29 they will be society for each other wherever they may settle ; but, if only one or two families, they should be careful to inquire after persons of their own country, habits, and views, and pitch their tent near them. Much comfort has been missed by neglecting this precaution. The society and kind offices of those, who have in common the same feelings, manners, usages, and sentiments, moral and religious, will stide many a sigh in present difficulties, and hush many a regret when the happy past becomes the subject of contem- plation or conversation. Arrived in the Colony, the Emigrant should be careful in selecting his land ; regarding the convenience of markets, roads, neighbours, means of religious worship and education, and also the future prospects of the situation he may choose ; and whether it has a sufficiency of fire-wood and water. If he intend to purchase a farm, either partly cleared or wholly wood land, let him look well to the title ; for very many are liable to be disputed. Should he have no friends in the Co- lony, he may inquire for such persons * of inte- grity, particularly in his own business, as could and would give him sound and disinterested ad- vice and direction in the object of his pursuit^ and preserve him from imposition. It would be well to hear many opinions, to look at various situations, and be prudently cautious and slow in determining on so important a matter as choosing a situation — perhaps for life ; the right or wrong management whereof, may prove a great blessing or a serious evil. But it would be wrong, to • It is to be regretted that there is no Emigrant Society in the Colony. The Secretary of the Central Agricultural Society is a gentleman of probity, well ac- quainted with the country, and, undoubtedly, would give valuable advice and direction to new comers applying to him, and prevent their being imposed on. In case the Central Society do not become an Emigrant Socioty also, it would be desirable that their Secretary be ipiiointed Agent for £mi(j;r&nts. •wr 30 i< i! I h ■- I! 1 ' i delay so long as to occasion serious expense, and lessen the Emigrant's means. Avoid getting into debt, as you value your pros- perity, your peace, usefulness, and happiness. So ends this familiar Address to brother Far- mers, who, like the writer, may frel, that, how- ever much thej may love Old England above every other country, and how greatly soever they may desire to remain among her children, the voice of prudence and the mandate of necessity, as well as the future welfare of their families, imperiously command them to seek a refuge in some distant land. Those who may direct their course to Prince Edward Island, will find a fertile soil waiting to repay their labours with plenty and independence. . With great local superiority as an agricultural country, this Colony is deplorably behind its better managed neighbour. Nova Scotia; one great cause of which has been, that no persons appeared to interest themselves to make the Island generally known. Happily the case is now altered, as appears by the number of very respectable gentlemen of the Colony who have subscribed for twenty copies each of this little sketch, written with that view. Should it, how- iever, fail to accomplish any good for a country only emerging from an undeserved obscurity and dependence, justly to assume that respectable and independent station to which any people may aspire, who occupy a soil that can be made to produce greatly above the supply of their own wants, it has, at least, passed away a few hours at sea, which otherwise might have been some- what dreary ; and it manifests an ardent desire 31 to promote the welfare of his adopted country, and see it occupied by a set of farmers knowing how to improve its advantages, and having the means of giving to their ofispring such education as shall make them scientific as well as practical men. Is this visionary? Is it irrational? No. It is reasonable ; it is desirable ; it may be ac- complished. And if so little is attained, it is because so little has been attempted. Who, in the year 1793, would have credited that such grand results would have followed the labours of a few choice agricultural spirits — as the Duke of Bedford, Sir John Sinclair, Arthur Young, Mr. Coke, and a few others, who gave such stimulus to agricultural inquiry, improvement, exertion, and production — as doubled and trebled the pro- duce of the soil of Britain ; and so preserved her favoured people from want, during a war which closed nearly all the ports of the continent against her ? ti; ^'>f r r V APPENDIX. . I, ■ Ms i.i !|' ! I r ! is ■ !'■ ' i I Ml in ',*. it 'li CoNTBMPLATiNO the many advantages of Prince Edward Island as a fishing station, a feeling of surprise is created that no persons of capital have established themselves in Georgetown, which has an excellent, commodious, and safe harbour, easy of access and departure at all times ; and very convenient to capital fishing grounds, now used al- most exclusively by vessels from the United States, which never a uit their anchorage, if they can any way avoid it, until they get their fare or load, which is accomplished in a few days after the fish have been collected together by being baited or fed. Many fine schooners anchor in Hiree Rivers on their wav to the fishery ; and it is said that the Master of one of them remarked, that " the United States would cover Georgetown with dollars if that would suffice for the purchase of it." The Colony produces timber for vessel building. Here are abund- ance of shipwrights, food for fishermen, hemp, &c., with indefinable quaiitities m fish at hand, and yet it has no fishery ! The Agricultural Society, which gets an annual public ^ant, and has accumulated other funds, might do the Island a service by offering a premium for *' The best Essay on establishing Fisheries in Prince Edward Island ; detailing the Modes of carrying on each Branch ; the Adaptation of the Colony for the Pursuit of this Source of National Wealth ; the Erobable Benefits that would result from it ; and what Markets would e open to take the Produce to with most Profit or Advantage. — With a Sketch of the present State of the North American, British, and United States' Fisheries ; including the Number of British and Foreign Vessels that Fish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; and any other useful Information connected with the Subject." The Ammcan home market is probably the great vent for the pro- duce of their fisheries. The rapid increase of Canadian population warrants the expectation]that, at nogre at distance of time, the Canadas will become an extensive mart for the future fisheries of this Colony. Another pvemium might be given for ** The best Essay on the Na- tural and Local Advantages and Resources of Prince Edward Island ; what has retarded its Improvement and Advancement ; present State of its Agriculture, including Arable-Farming, Grazing, and Dairy ; Breeding ; Stock in general ; Implements, Labour, Expenses, Profits ; and Means wherebylmprovement may be effected in any Branch of Rural Economy. — What ought to be the main Objects of the Settler's Attention.*— Can any Articles be produced from the Soil for Exporta- tion, to meet the Costs for Imports ?" &c. &c. One great proof of the rapid advancement of Prince Edward Island is, that, in the year 1820, the Agricultural Exports were worth £8000 only, whilst, during 1831, they reached to about £30,000. f * !| STOCK IMPORTED. 1826. Colonel Ready, late Lieut. Governor. Thorough-bred Horse Roncesvalles, do. do. Mare Roulette. Alderney Bull and Cow. Northallerton Polled Cow. A Southdown Ram. Six Southdown Ewes. One Ram, Southdown and Leicester crossed. A Leicester Ram. A Berkshire Sow. " A Suffolk Bull Calf and two Berkshire Pigs died on the passage. In 1830. A Suffolk Bull, polled (purchased by the Agricultural Society. ) A Southdown Ram, bred by Elmanof Glynd, in Sussex. Mr. Braddock— 1826. Ram and Ewe, Leicester crossed with long Scotch. Messrs. L and A. Cambridge. A Glamorgan Bull and Heifer. A Devonshire Bull and Cow. A Suffolk Cow, (now at Mr. Duck's farm. Winter River). Mr. Chanter. The Devonshire Bull " Tommy Chanter," now the property of the Agricultural Society. A Devonshire Bull, now in the possession of Mr. Haviland. A Devonshire Cow, in the possession of Mi. Worrell. Leicester Rams. Leicester Ewes. Mr. Lewellin. Half-bred Suffolk Punch Entire, do. Mare. A long-horned Northern Cow, famous for milk and meat, and breed- ing fine stock. A Sow descended from a Chinese Sow and Monmouthshire Boar, and afterwards repeatedly crossed with good Berkshire Boars. Two Rams and three Ewes, from the Cotswold Hills, Gloucestershire, a present from Mr. Sulivan. E 34 STOCK IMPORTED — CONTINUED. II J lip Hon. G. Wright One Southdown and one Leicester Ram, 1829. Mr. Billing. A Devonshire Heifer. Mr. Stonb. The half-bred Horse " Wanton," since exported, has left a few Foals behind him. Mr T. B. Trbmain. A Boar and two Sows, of the pure Chinese breed. Mr, Bbnbow. A Ram and some Ewes of the long wooled Lincoln breed, also some Pigs, the breed I forget. Mr. Worthy. A Ram, Leicester and Southdown crossed, and a Leicester Ewe. Charles Stewart, Esq. of Princetown Royalty, also imported some years ago, a Ram firom England, which has greatly im- proved the breed of sheep in his neighbourhood. Bii..:1; If ( SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. Honourable Robert Hodgson Honourable George Wright Honourable T. H. Haviland J. L. Hurdis, Esq. G. R. Goodman, Esq. J. P. Collins, Esq. Theophilus Stewart, Esq. Mr. Joseph Ball Mr. H. D. Morpeth Mr. Morrow, Halifax Mr. P. Macgowan Mr. Forgan Mr. J. Peake Friend - - - Samuel Westacott William Cullen - Rev. L. Ct Jenkins John Stone, Esq. Mr. Brenan Rev. Donald M' Donald - Mr. Monckton - Mrs. Fanning 20 Copies 20 do. 20 do. 20 do. 20 do. 20 do. 20 do. 20 do. 20 do. 10 do. 10 do. 10 do. 10 do. 20 do. 6 do. 5 do. 10 do. 10 do. 5 do. 10 do. 5 do. 10 do. "I* a,; tjj t W. M. KNIOHT AND CO., PRINTERS, bishop's court, old BAILET.