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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 and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s A des taux de reduction diffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est fiimA A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. ,&=?■■■ 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 1. 1 1 I ■ PRAC / :■ CLIA > A I PRESENT STATE OP THE CANADAS; ■'^ I .J n J, hi 1^" CONTAINING «. ^T» PRACTICAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION BESPECTINO THE CLIMATE, SOIL, PRODUCE, AGRICULTURE, TRADE, CURRENCY, BANKING, &c., UPPER AND LOWER CANADA, y USEFUL FOR THE EMIGRANT, MERCHANT, AND TOURIST. ,* 't LONDON: ^ PUBLISHED BY GEO. HEBERT, 88, CHEAPSIDE ; AND SOLD BY MESSRS. EGERTON, SMITH, AND CO., LIVERPOOL, AND ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS. »*fc •» «■ ... '<► (,1,0 1833. » * - • • » ♦ V * I «' t < I » M . l< b >;■- », 6 1- • i V 9 4 t » t£»6 A0 t ».». « • « U O -3 'J » (J 4 O I \v ','! 1; M LONDON: O. TITTERTON, PRINTER, 74, Cornhill, ] I : ,\J. ■ - t ' f ! -> » » * • » * • « < < * * • ' « t • * < « « ^ / > 1 t ' I - / • > » < I « • ' • » • I '' > < t • t I « » » 1 « f • « # » ; ; , Wt., '•''si J ^ PREFACE. THE following Notes have been selected with great attention from ' a variety of sources of general in- formation respecting the Canadas, and were collected by an individual about to settle in the Upper Pro- vince. As they appeared to contain . much useful information on the sub- ject of Agriculture and Trade not hitherto so fully treated of in thci .1 ji 1 .h I ^1 . ic Si ! 42S64 IV PREFACE, works „„ .he Canada., tke writer ha. Wn ,e,„«ted to alW them to be published for the use of the ^■f"* ^ ^<>»"»' visitiug .hose countries. •London, March 25, 1833. ;V--> .- ,,r> 4 i: I I ■ ■■-..■ t '^*' Av* ;'?'■..■? !'ai>^ Jif-.'^V.^ • i \r.* 'Vt. i*'' .<<<'■■■'• 4 ■■;J ■^^'■i CONTENTS. - Voyage out from England r. . • 1 Passage up the St. Lawrence— objects worth notice ; Cities of Quebec, Montreal, &c 4 Climate of Lower Canada — rates of Wages, &c 37 Entrance to Upper Canada— towns of Kingston and York — Lakes, Falls, and Rapids 35 Climate, Seasons, Soil, Agriculture, and Produce of Upper Canada 48 Estimates of expences of cultivating land, produce of Farms, prices of Stock, Provisions, Furniture, &c 96 Description of Huron District and Town of Goderich 105 Table of Distances .^114 Export and Import Trade of Quebec and Montreal. . 117 Prices Current of Exports and Imports of Quebec and Montreal 134 Customs and charges of the Trade 138 Taxes, Revenues, Arrivals of Emigrants, &c 143 Currency and Banking 145 Conclusion 163 .r .«; • i I 'i I VI. CONTENTS. APPENDIX. Information by the Commissioners for Emigration . . 165 Canada Company's Lands 177 DescriptionoftheCityof the Falls ...177 Statistics and Population Returns of Lower Canada .188 — . — — . — -. — — Upper Canada. 189 ♦■ . , ..'. iA h srv UP M •f^'-yy .5. . !■ ( / ■u^ "I"' » » ' v.. . •■ -.■.-^■l.,^' . ' v'*,,: ■ « i %•' \ I.I . 1 ^fl REMARKS ON THE "' i STATISTIC S, CliTMATK, SOIL, HItODlJCK, AGRU CULTURE, TRADE, AKD CURRENCY ^ T •.- •. . 1» OF UPPER AND LOWER CANADA. VOYAGE OUT FROM ENGLAND TO CANADA. THE best passages to Quebec are usually made in the months of April, May, and June; south winds mostly prevail from July to September, which render the voyage dur- ing* those months tedious. The average Pas- sages from England are, in the spring, from thirty to thirty-five days— in summer, thirty- five to forty — and in autumn, forty to fifty. The distance from the Land's End to the mouth of the St. Lawrence, is upwards of 2000 miles; Quebec is oGO miks up the river : for about 120 miles before you ' I I (ii 7! li reach Quebec, the banb« ««• .l . •> -* beginning of mT;! .« tld';, J™" bee for°t„ta ^ir/? '™™ ^-■ thirty to tbirty-six hour« ?. P'^'^:* in ^•eres; stages depart everv I ^ '*'" winter months. "^ ^^^ ^"""S the «o three days tK'. "P"' ^'■°'» *'^o «o Kingston^ .broJ^htrS^^^^^ ^'r' about 240 miles, b„^;X'R;:srL^^ rence, passing- the R»1m • ^ * ^a^" «be distance s bit iT"^ ^'"'^ ^"'-O' York to Niagara „„!.. ""'""' «"^ ^'^^ tbirty-six tT' T f ' "PP"*''* ^'d«. «bout '"J -SIX. The land road from York to 'MmkiL^iM^ Niagara, by Burlington Bay, is about ninety miles. The journey from New York to Upper Canada is usually performed in seven or eight days, the distance from New York to Niagara being about 514 miles — viz. New York to Albany, 160 miles, up the Hudson River, by steam, in twenty or twenty-two hours, fare As. 6d. Albany to Uttica, 190 miles, by land, one day, fare 135. 6d, Uttica to Auburn, 96 miles, by boat on the Erie Canal, usually stopped from No- vember to May, The rate of travelling by the canal boats is from three to four miles au hour. ' Auburn to Rochester, 64 miles, by coach. Rochester to Lewisiown, 85 miles, by coach in thirty hours, fare 6s, 6i. Lewistown to Niagara, across the Niagara R>^er. ^ ,.\ hm4n - ^'^ ' >■• ■ ^ - -' ■ ' ■ ' ' '• -^ ! I ii I '^1 hs'.\:'- •fi:/i ;•"* 't, '■* HBMARKS ON TUB PASSAGE UP THE RIVER ST. , I.AWRENCE, AND THROUGH THE LAKES INTO UPPER CANADA. ,, , . , . ,, . V :'-4i^; '♦ii Cape Rosters is properly the Entranck OF THE St. Lawrence ; the river here is about eighty miles broad. The land about Cape Rosiers is low, but high round hilhs rise behind it: Cape Gaspe, to the south of Ro^ siers, is high land, with perpendicular rocky cliffs. The Island of Anticosti separates the river into two channels, that on the north side is narrower than that on the south, where the river is nearly fifty miles broad ; Anticosti is about 140 miles long, by 35 broad, and nearly 300 in circumference ; the shores are flat, and it possesses no good har- bour : Ellis Bay„ at the west end, anbrds, however, a safe anchorage for vessels not drawing more than twelve feet water. Fox Bay, at the east end is also a safe shelter for smaller craft ; flat rocks extend to a coU'i* •N^ • ^«»<#A ■•,.... ft siderable distance from the shore, and render the approach dangerous: a light-house has been erected on the west point, and another IS erecting on the east ; in the interior of the island there are some fine natural meadows, and several lakes: the island also abounds with valuable timber, and affords a produc- tive salmon and seal fishery. The Labrador Coast may be safely ap- preached, as it affords excellent anchorage, and the tides are nearly regular ; there are, however, two formidable dangers to be guarded against in the St. Lawrence, — one is the rocky shoal extending several miles off at Manicougan, and the other lays off Pointe des Mille Vaches, a little above Pont On the south side of the river are the mountains of Notre Dame and St. Louis, and on the north side lays the Bay of the Se- ven IsLAi>«iDS, so called from seven rugged rocks at its entrance; there is deep water close in with the islands, and ten to twelve b3 it 3 t 6 fathoms in the bay: further on, tfie river Moisie and several other considerable strennis fall into the Ste Lawrenee: a productive fialmon fisiiery is carried on at the former. A Hftle above Monts Piles is Trinile, where a light-house is errctiirg; vessels usually nrt- chor here with a head wind. Cape Chatte, on the south side, exhibits a bold appear- ance; the chaivnel of the river here l>t'Conies contracted to about forty miles: two conicnt bills, called Les Mamt'lles de Ma lane, next appear in view, distant about six miles inlatid. The Pilots generally board vessels between Fonts des Monts and Cape Chatte. Thirty miles from Matane is Little Mites, a lon^f flat |H>cky point, and six mifes further on, to the west, is Great Mites, where there is g-ood an- chorage; saw mills have been erected on the falls of the River Mitels. The rocky shoal of Manicougan extends six miles from the north shore, and is very dangerous; on tlie east side of the shoal is the Bay of Manicougan, and on the west that of Outardes: the small island V •■» of St, Bnrnaho^ iis on the .^otith shore, oppi» Island, and is about ten miles ton"; • there is also a dni)o;erons reef of rocks extending^ from ofTthis island. Mamiay, which is about eiohtymifesfrofit Quebec, is situated between Poiiite j\ PAIi^-fe 1/ and the viHap:e of Les Ebo^leinents : the land hero is very fertile and cultivated foi* an ex« tent of six miles up a river, which abounds with salmon; in the bay there is aTso a fishery of white porpoises: the entrance to Mai bay is singularly romantic and beautiful. " After passing' Malbay, aiHf about half way to Paul's Bay, are massif of hi«»h rocks, and d s'rhall chain of conical sand hills, fh^n ten to forty feet high, called Les Enouf.KMEwrs* Passing the Pilgrim's and Kamourahkn islets, the isfand of Coudres appear* in siglit, situated about three miles from the north shore, in front of St. Paul's Bay ; rts shores are almost perpend ieular and ci>veri3il with small trees: this island is seven miles C t H'f H I! ,1 i H^ f ' i- Si i I " i.jir . Ill 10 111 long and three broad. On the south side of the isle of Coudres is a narrow channel two miles in breadth^ called the Traverse ; the navigation here is extremely difficult, and requires the greatest attention: the channel on the north shore is three miles broad and very deep, but as the shore is rocky, the south passage is generally preferred. The waters of St. Lawrence here assume a whitish hiie, and the brackishness diminishes until the tide reaches the lower extremity of the Isle of Orleans, where the water is perfectly fresh. -'--: oiv-AL^ 4.1 r-»e land is mostly level and well watered by fine streams. The ftoil is reckoned superior to any hi the neigli- l)oiii'hood of Qmbec, and great quantities of grain are produced here : the shores also ajfiord excellent pasturage, and the greater (wrt >f tbe butter consumed in Quebec comes :i\'oin Kamonraska. The distance to Quebec b.y i\tie soath shore of the St. Lawrence, is fal>out AHtietj miles, and the road passes ihrough St. Thomas a«id Quelle, and crossing; prer the river at Point Levi, wiiich is only Mw iMile froiii Quebec. At St. Thomas, the Uiver du Sud or Kamouraska River, falls into I he St. Lawrence, over rocks twenty- five feet Jiigh «ud forms a ujost beautiful cascade. "^'"' I Oil the north shore of the St. Lawrence, feelwceu St. Paul's Bay aud Cape Tourment, ■~.\' !^<^*'^»"-ir,WwA* I / 13 IS flic pnrish of Pn^llle RivieiT, situate hboot ten miles from Paul's Bay; the centrcMif ilie river is here diversified l»y clusters of small islands, sohie of whirl) are cleared and settled —they afford excellent panturnge and sup- ply large quantin'es of iwy. Cape Toulu MENT is about #000 feet high. Beyrtid life i^oals of the Traverse are some Urw, flat, and r«cky tslets, called Grcmse and Crane Island^!, and at Che east end are the pilbr roc^ks risiiny abruptly out of tbfe river. The road to Quebec runs lh4*ough the village of Si. Jonclnn, wbicb is eighteen miles from Petite Riviere, and thirty to Quebec. As yaa approach the Isle o^ Ohveans, a ri«li and int^estitig' view presents itself of I^leMmlame, Cape Diamond, and ihi" moult- tains on live north and w^l with the cultivated meadows spreadittg themselves beneath^ The Isle of Orleans is {ibo;it forty-eight mrles m circumference, being twenty miles long, and four to Ave in breadth; the upper p»rt of the island is five miltis beluw Quebec. The land c /,t ,1 ,1 1 ■; l\ V 14 1*1*868 in gradation from its steep banks towards the centre of the island, and presents a please ing and fertile appearance, the east end being covered with trees: a fine view of the sur- rounding country is also afforded from the higher grounds towards the north, whence the Falls of Montmorenci may be seen to great advantage : on the opposite coast is the River La Puce, distant about five miles, and od which there are several romantic falls and cataracts. The Isle of Orleans is noted for its fine apple orchards; and it also produces a considerable quantity of grain* At the lower extremity of the island the river is six- teen miles in breadth, forming, at the upper end, a basin six miles long. The south channel is the broadest, and having the greatest depth of water, is the course usually taken by large vessels ; the channel on the north side being shallow, is only fit for small vessels* At Patrick's Hole, about mid-chan- nel, there is good anchoring ground, affording shelter when necessary. ■ » -^■'^t ;-•(* '^x 16 On approaching the basin of Quebec, the Falls of Montmorenci suddenly appear in view, bounded by the village at Point Levi, on the south side of the river, which is here about one mile broad. The elevated pro- montory of Cape Diamond, on which Quebec 18 situated, is about 320 feet above the level of the river : between Quebec and Montmo- renci is the village of Beauport, where the shore rises in the form of a terrace* ¥$^-UUm.^'--^v- ■Jw.; QUEBEC. This city is situated in 46^ 64' north lat, and 70° 6' west long, and is divided into the Upper and Lower Towns. The citadel is constructed on the highest point of Cape Diamond, fronting which, on the south, are the plains of Abraham. There are five gates from the garrison. The principal buildings worth noticing are the Catholic cathedral, the Protestant metropolitan church, the castle H 'I n. J J & fl'' VMJ •f •; i!l ii ' u i' I 1 ' i 1 ]■!'■ 1 ^ F ' 1 1 i t i; ■ j '"V i' i 1 V } 1 i.-,. ,. 'M: Ie of St. Louis or pfoverhiiw^nt lioiwo, the Jesuits* onllege, the seriiiimry, the parliament lioiise^ t|i» courts of biw, tlie Motel Dieu, aivd the inu« nunient of Geueiul VVoHK Tlte population of Quebec, iu 1831, auionuted to nearly 30,00(X Tlie ancljiorRge botwwfu Point Levi oikI Quelxec is every where good nod K5Cfe: the line of bank ativaucin^y on the we^t fornix R small harbour, called A nee de Mer. VeSf* self!) bound to Montreal are generally towed up by steam, and can perform the vnynge ii% thirty to thirty>six hours. The vast masses of ice which accumulate i|) winter in the basin of Quebec, opposite the Jsle of Orleans, generally block up the channel between thq city and that ii^Und, althou^^U the river issel<« dom froaen over between Quebec and Pointi Levi. After the ice from Li>ke St. Peter's^ has passed, which generally occurs about the latter end of April^or first week in May, the navigation is clear. The earliest arrivaU from sea at Quebec are about the Hrst week ini May : tbr^e vessels arrived in 1831 as earijf ' J"^ 17 'pH'4 at tfie 16th of April. In 1832 the season opened on the 3rd of May, and closed on the 28th of November. ' " Falls of Montmorenct. The River Montniorenci empties itself into the St. Law* rence, eight miles to the north east of Que* bee: the cascades are situated at a place caled the Natural Steps, and are generally of the height often to twelve feet; but from the middle of April to the end of May, the waters roll along with increasing height and rapidity. The river is precipitated at the Falls over a rock upwards of 200 feet high* and about 60 feet in breadth, producing a most beautiful effect from its rapid descent, the clearness of the water, and the loud noise accompanying the fall. The largest saw mills in Canada have been erected at this place. ' V-- -,:^-- ,-.. ' -.•,^.. ,, ' The Indian village of Loretto is about nine miles north-west of Quebec, and com- mands a most extensive view of the St. Law* rence. The River St. Charles passes through c3 1 111 I ' Mil '..■\ I, ■■! hi ; ijil w this Ullage and after wimliwg^ for a fe-w miles to tiie south- west of t>ake St, Charles, rolU over a steep rock, ihirty ftet high, and forms a most beautiful water-fall, which, with the smallet cascades, the bridf^e, the village of Charlebourgh, and distant hills, preseut iiutst interestino' scenery, , ': - . Lake St. Charles is fourteen miles west of Quebec ; it is five miles in length by one in breadth, and aJmo»arrow passage nearly at the cetUre ; and its banks are ex« tremely wild and picturesf|fie, ,^, , ^ .,.h,^i The River Chaudiere empties itself into the south side of the St. Lawrence, aboul six miles to the souih«west of Quebec ; this stream flows from Lake Megante, distant 120 miles; tike Falls are RJtuutejd four miles from its mouth; the sumnKit of the Fall is about 35«) feet broad, and the water is pre- cipitated from a height of about 120 feet, divided bv the rocks ^nto three distinct cata- racts, which are particularly grand h) the -;; ? 19 month of Mny, from tlie rapiility, brightness, anil deep sound of tlie fallings wotcr* : the wild scenery of tlie banks of the river, and the luxuriant foliage of the overha?iging trees, are abo much adinirr 22 as far as the town; and steam-boats rom Quebec and Montreal generally stop here to take in fuel. Trois Rivieres is eighty- five miles from Quebec, and ninety-six from Montreal: the climate is milder here than at Quebec. At about eight miles up the river are several iron-found eries, where the manufactory of iron is carried on to a con- siderable extent ; the quality of this iron is soft, tenacious, pliable, and not subject to rust : at a place called Shawinnagamme, twenty miles up the St. Maurice, the river falls about 100 feet perpendicular, and near 60 feet in breadth. The waters of this river are peculiarly dark coloured. Lake St. Peter's, about six miles from Trois Rivieres, is formed by an expansion of the waters of St. Lawrence over flats, ex-^ tending in width from ten to fifteen miles, by about twenty-one in length : its general depth, however, is only ten to fiftCwn feet. Several small rivers discharge their waters into this lake ; and at its upper end are some 23 islands, the only ones that occur between this spot and the Isle of Orleans, a distance of 117 miles; but from hence to Lake Onta. rio, clusters of islands are frequently met with, some of which are of great beauty and fertility. , The town of Sorel, or Fort William Henry, so named after his present Majesty, is agreeably situated at the confluence of the Biver Richlieu with the St. Lawrence; the fiichlieu takes its rise in Lake Champlain, about seven miles distant. A canal is cutting near Chambli, to unite Lake Champlain with the St. Lawrence, the navigation being im- peded by rapids. About eight miles distant from Chambli are the Mountains, of Be- L(EiL, composed of masses of granite, 1400 feet in height, from the summit of which there is a magnificent prospect of the sur- rounding country. Fort St. John, ten miles from Chambli, is the port of entry for all goods coming from the United States; and about twelve miles farther is the British fi. ■I I i ! : 1; II !! ! ii- M III 1 24 frontior stnlfon callod Jsle jinx Noix, situated on t!ie borders of Lnke Cham plain. From Montreal, across llit» St. Lawrence, ro La Prairie, is nine miles ; and from La Prairie to New York, by Lake Cham plain and Albany, is 370 more, maUin«* the whole diis- tance from New York to MoiUreal about 400 mdes. * Nt?ar Berthief, on the north bank of the St. Lawrence, are numerous islands, afford- hi^ excellent pasturage; and six milfs fur- ther on is tbe village of Vercheres : higher up is Varennes; the islands here are so low, as to be subject to frequent inundations in the spring: a few miles distant frotn Va- reimes is the village of Bouchervill^. The '1*oad on the north side of the St. Lawrence, t^etween Repentigni and the point bf the Island of Montreal, is interrupted by a branch of the Ottawa river, about one mile in breadth, and over which a bridge has lately been erected. The River Ottawa encompasses the Islands of Jesus, Ptrrot, 25 Hml Bissart, washing the north side of the Island of Montreal. About half a mile be« fore you reach Montreal, the stream towards the centre becomes very rapid and brokett"■•^t^ 'tTi = MONTREAL. The Island of Montreal is thirty miles in length by ^ve to seven in breadth, and its circumference about seventy. The City of Montreal is sitnaterl on the south side t>f the island, in lat. 46^ 33' north, and in \x)t\g. 73" 37' west, 180 miles distant from Quebec by water. The banks of the island rise fif- teen feet above th€ level of the river, a deep and rapid current flows between the shore and the opposite Island of St. Helens, and it requires a strong north-east witid to carry vessels up to the town ; vessels are otherwise D ^ il 'i • ' :' i > ' ■ !; ■ > . \ ij "^ I ; i I, " ^ m; 26 iililH ii! I ill I IH !i l!li frequently obliged to come to an anchor at the lower end of the stream. Montreal is divided into the Upper and Lower town ; the streets are wide and airy. In 1831, the population amounted to about 27,000. The public market, Nelson's monu* ment, and the Hotel Dieu, are situated in the Lower town. The Upper town contains the French cathedral, one of the most mag- nificent edifices in America, the English church, convent of Recollets, the seminary, and the government house, and which are the principal objects worth notice. A na- tural wharf is formed near the town, by the ^iepth of the stream and sudden declivity of the banks. About two miles and a half from the city, is a hill called the Mountain, nearly 700 feet high, and extending two miles north and south: it is covered with numerous orchards. The prospect from the mountain is rich and extensive, but the most favourable view of Montreal is from St. Helen's. tRw" r ^-^ "V'-? \'. REMARKS ON THE CLIMATE OF LOWER CANADA. The snow generally begins to melt early in April, and by the second or third week all is usually gone. The river is, however, seU dom clear of ice until the first week in May; the ice from the lakes coming down in pro^* digious quantities about the latter end of April, and, until this is past, vessels cannot get up to Montreal. For the average of the last five years, the frost first began to break up at Montreal the second week in April, and steam-boats have been able to leave for Quebec about the middle of the month. The months of May and June are often wet, but farmers generally get all their seed in by the 20th of May, and wheat is usually ready for reaping by the latler end of August. The spring, summer, and autumn, may be said to be comprised in the five months from May to September. November and April are the two most disagreeable months in the year ; '•■ ( t 'f ^f I li ' III' i ''!! i-'ll!.! N: 28 in the former, the snow begins to fall, and in the latter, it is fast going: a way, Montreal enjoys a milder climate than Quebec, and the winter is not so long^ by five or six weeks: the soil is also richer; the markets are much belter supplied with provisions, and living is cheaper. A discussion is at present going on in the House of Assembly, for uniting Montreal with the Upper Province. Board and lodging at Quebec and Mon- treal, may be had in the best hotels, at from 26*. to 30«. a week ; the inns charge from 15«. to 20*,, and for comnrHMi people, 7s, 6rf. to 9v. 6c?. Dwelling-houses, unfurnished, let from £100. to £150. a year; shops and stores from £50. to £100. A farm of one hundred acres, with twenty or thirty acres cleared, with a dwelling-house, and out-houses, may be had in the neighbourhood, from £150. to *^300« , ,.n v.. ^ .-•■ v^. 29 KATES OF WAGES IN QUEBEC AND MONTREAL, *. d» s, dm ' Farm managers, from 2 6 to 3 per clay. Common labourers 18 2 7 Or from £30. to £50. per annum, without food or cloathing. . /< iV/ Mechanics Brick laye rs from .5 to 10 6 per day, ••46 66 4 6 Carpenters » • Smiths, • • • Mechanics' wages are regulated on the 1st of 6 6 Mi -^^^ 'ill2iy and the 1st of November. La Chine is situated at the south-east end of the Island of Montreal, seven miles dis^ tant from the city, and is the place whence the Durham boats, Batteaux, and canoes pro- ceed, either up the St. Lawrence or the Ottawa. The Canal op La Chine was cut, in order to avoid the Rapids or Fall of St. Louis, five miles above Montreal ; the river is here divided by two or three islands, and d3 ■! i 1 ] 1 ■ 1 f i 1 i • , '51 30 Pi;' 'ill ■11 n ill HIM forma vory picturesque scenery. Tlie canal of La Chine is nine miles lonof, twenty feet wide, and five deep ; it co«l £130,000, sterL ing*. In }821, 2100 boats passed upwards, and 2000 downwards; the amount of tolls taken was £6000. currency. In 1832, 1850 boats passed upwards, and 1750 downwards, and the tolls amounted to £5900. currency. Upwards of 500 Dtirliam boats and KMK) Batteanx are constantly employed in the trade between Montreal and Lake Ontario; there are also more than thirty-five steam vessels engaged in the navigation of the St. Lawrence and adjacent waters. / The River Ottawa divides Lower from Upper Canada, and rises in the north-west beyond Lake Huron, i»p wards of 1000 mdes before it falls into the St. Lawrence; its navigation is interrupted by rapids and cata-* facts, and in some places the river expands over the country, forming extensive lakes. The waters of the Ottawa are dark and dis« coloured. In procqediog up the Ottawa, 3] after leaving- L«[Chine, you arrive at the vil- lapre of St. Anne'8, nine miles distant, and where the river in broken and rapid. The Lake of the Two Mountains is formed by an enlargement of the rivers just behind Mon« treal ; it is nearly twenty miles in length, and in some places three miles broad. At Ca* rillon, thirty-five miles from Si. Anne's, you leave the stearn-boat, and proceed to Greu^- ville, where a canal has been cut to avoid the Rapids of Long Sault. At Bytown, 65 miles from St. Anne's, and 120 from Mon« treal, is the commencement of the Rideau Canal, which was cut to connect the Ottawa with Lake Ontario, at Kingston, avoiding the Falls of La Chaudiere. The Rideau Canal, including the rivers and lakrs through which it passes, is cbout 160 miles in length ; it has forty-seven locks, 147 feet by 33 wide; the total rise is 437 feet; the summit reser* voir is Lake Ridean, twenty-four miles in length. Upwards of £750,000. sterling have been expended gu thi^ canali including the i i^if m 11 'I i III! I 'i II ! it "1:11 Iii IP I' I ;i!fl I !iii 82 cost of the military works attached to lU Opjiosite to Bytc^^n is the town of Hull, in Upper Canada. About one mile further up the Ottawa a-e the Falls of La Chaudiere: the river is about one mile broad at the fall, and dasnes over a rugged cliff upwards of fifty feet in height. A bridge has been thrown over the Grande Cbaudiere in oi'Jer to unite the two Provinces, and is called Union Bridge. The River Rideau joins the Ottawa about three miles below the Falls of the Chandiere, where it forms a pleas- ing cascade, resembling a white curtain, whence its name of Rideau. About forty miles to the north are the Falls of Les Chats, and 140 miles further up is Points au Bap- t^roe ; the channel is here interr^jpted by cataracts and rapids. About 120 miles above Pointe au Bapteme is the great branch of the Ottawa, which flows from Lake Temis- earning on the right ; and thiriy-six miles further on are the Falls of Le Paresseux ; after passing several portages, the river en- terfi Lake Nispissing, which is about fifty miles in length, and finally discharges it.«ieH* intc Lake Huron, by the River Trent, after a course of 108 miles* Tb^ whole distance from Montreal to the upper end of Lake Huron, by the River Ottawa, is nearly 900 wiles, v^ith thirty-six portages *o pass. -^ 5? i^fter leaving La Chine, to proceed up the St. Lawrence, you pass the Indian village of Cognawngha, situated on the opposite side of the river, and immediately after enter Lake St. Louis, formed by a junction of part of the Ottawa with the St. Lawrence ; this Lake is about ten miles in width. On (he north side of the lake is the finely wooded inland of Perrot, and on the south a low %ut richly wooded country, through which the river Chateaugay passes. "'\ia The Cascades or Split Rocks are about two miles in length ; the river here pours into Lake St. Louis, on the south-east side, with immense rapidity and force, flowing amongst ' I) III m ''I'm ! II illli ilitli lll'ill 34 three different islands: the waters sre in a constant state of the most violent agitation. Three miles from the Cascades are the Rapids cf the Cedars, which are formed amidst a cluster of islands, where the St. Lawrence for about a mile and a half assumes a sudden declivity, and drives along a wind' ing course with irresistible force, The ci > cades are more dangerous than the rapic!s, and travellers in consequence generally land and proceed nine miles by land, to the Coteau du Lac. The village of the Cedars is pleasantly situated in the north banks of the St. Lawrence, where the agitated state of the waters, combined with the view of the rapids at Coteau du Lac, are exceedingly beautiful. I It is usual to re-embark in the steam-boat at Coteau du Lac, just above the split rocks at the lower end of Lake St. Francis, about the centre of which, on the north side, is Point au Bedet, the Boundary Line be- tween the two Provinces, distant 120 miles from Kingston, Lake St. Francis is J 'Ji 35 nearly thirty miles long and fifteen broad at its greatest width ; its shores are extremely flat. On the north side, at the upper ex- tremity of the lake, h the Indian settlement of St. Regis, the la&t point on the shores of Lower Canada. ...'■'ir-i^-ir^ •'■'!f ^^een the islands situated in thris channel. .» Je Longue Sault is nine miles long, and so rapid that boats descend it in thirty minutes. At a point of the river where the banks are about fifty feet in height, there is a magnificent view of these rapids for an extent of two or three miles, rendered ex- tremely grand by the continual roar of the waters: the south shore, which is separated from the rapids by islands, is much less broken,— a canal is however about to be cut to aroid these rapids. Opposite to Matilda IS the isle Au Rapid Plat. From Johnston as far as Kingston, the waters are only broken in a few places, and decked vessels may navigate thence into Lake Ontario. At Prescott, the St. Lawrence is four miles broad ; steam-boats usually stop at this 37 place, on their way to Kingston, which is about sixty-three miles distant. Opposite to Prescott i« the American town of Ogdens- burgh. Twelve miles from Prescott is Brock- ville, very pleasantly situated, and carrying on a considerable trade with the United States. Elizabethtown joins Augusta, and is well watered by three small rivers flowing from Lak'.e Torianto. The river here spreads itself into a width of ten to twelve miles; and being interspersed with a multitude of islands, is called the Lake of the Thou- sand Islands, forming a most picturesque scene. The river Gannanoqui, which flows through the township of Leeds, possesses at its mouth a good harbour. Pitsburgh inter- venes between Leeds and Kingston; Ganna- noqui is thirty-two miles from Brockville. There are several considerable saw and grist mills situated on this river and that of La Petite Nation, which streams also abound with salmon. ii ',. ' i ' i • 1 „;'i!!iiii!i II a l! II -III Mill 38 Kingston is situated at the mouth of tiio river Cataraqui, which joins the St. Law- rence at the bottom of Lake Ontario; it possesses an excellent harbour, and vessels can lay close in with the shore. The Dock* yard is situated at Point Frederick , and well defended by the forts at Point Henri. The appearance of this town is very pleasing, and in its vicinity are some valuable quarries of white stone. Kingston is situated in lat. 44° 8' north, and 75° 41' west long., about 190 miles from Montreal. During summer the harbour is crowded with sloops, Durham boats, Batteaux, and scows ; a Durham boat will carry from forty to fifty tons, the Bat- teaux about six, and the scows, which are flat bottomed boats, will carry from 400 to 500 barrels of flour. The population of Kingston is about 5000. About fifty miles across Lake Ontario is the American town of Oswego, whence steam-boats communicate with Kingston : Oswego is about 80 miles from Uttica, and 350 from New York. "T" 39 Lake Ontario opens full in view after leaving Kingston ; it is about 180 miles in leno-th, 40 to 50 broad, and about 450 in circumference : it is the deepest of all the lakes in Canada, and its waters are about 220 feet above the level of the sea. There are upwards of thirty islands dispersed about in various parts of the lake, the largest of which are Wolfe's and Amherst Islands, near to Kingston ; the former is twenty miles long, by five or six wide, and the latter ten miles in length, by six in width. A little above Kingston is a long islet, forming the Bay of Quinte, an excellent and safe harbour; this bay winds beautifully up the country for nearly fifty miles, receiv- ing the waters of several rivers, particularly those of the Trent, which latter communicates with numerous lakes in the interior; between the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario is the peninsula of Prince Edward. The soil near the Bay of Quinte is extremely fertile, and 40 HI iiiiiyiii iillll I the country abounds with red cedar of ex- cellent quality; salt springs are also found in the vicinity. Steam-boats depart almost daily from Kingston for the head of the Bay of Quinte, whence there is a tolerable good road to York, distant about 100 miles, pass- ing along the shores of Lake Ontario, through Cobourg and Port Hope ; in the rear of the latter lays Rice Lake. At Duffin's Creek, ^near Pickering, is a productive salmon and sturgeon fishery. The banks of Lake On- tario are more elevated about the township of Scarborough than in any other port. York is the capital of Upper Canada, and is situated in lat. 43^ 4& north. The popu- lation amounts to about 4000 ; it has a very safe harbour, formed by a long narrow pe- ninsula, called Gibraltar Point. At the back of the town commences Yonge Street, lead- ing to Lake Simcoe, and thence to Gloucester Bay, in Lake Huron. The only public buildings worth notice are the parliament 41 house, the hospital, and the college, all which are of brick ; a university is also buildingc. There is a good market, but provisions are dearer than in Montreal. Lake Simcoe is about thirty-two miles north of York ; this lake is forty-two miles long by twelve broad ; and communicates by the River Severn with Gloucester Bay in Lake Huron; the land about Lake Simcoe is considered very excellent. Burlington Bay is a fine sheet of water, formed by a breakwater in front, with richly wooded high land in the rear, and is one of the most beautiful spots in Upper Canada; a light-house has been erected here. At the head of Burlington Bay are the villages of Ancaster and Dundas ; there is a good road from Dundas to Amherstberg*, at the head of Lake Erie, 218 miles distant, with others to Guelph and Goderich ; there is also a good road from Ancaster to Niagara, and another from Niagara to Detroit. The scenery on the ' ■■ ' ■ ■ e3 ■ ■' -■■ ■ ■ m *> 42 :.;# 'm;, "iiiti II lilliillj nil 'ill ii!'i"i !l! i' ii ! road from Niagara to Queetistown is very pleasing.* • , . r The Welland Canal is forty-one miles long from Twelve Mile Creek, where it joins the river Onse, three to four miles from its mouth; its width is fifty-six feet, and depth eight and a half, — the summit level is 320 feet, and there are thirty-seven locks, 100 feet long by 22 wide ; it cost upwards of ' £270,000. sterling. Vessels of 120 tons bur- then can pass from Lake Ontario into £rie, through the Welland Canal, which is how- ever about to be deepened, in order to admit the passage of vessels of greater burthen. — Produce may be conveyed from Lake Erie to Montreal, through the Welland and Rideau canals, in seven or eight days ; the passage is generally stopped from the end of Novem- ber to the end of April. Immediately above Queenstown stands General Brock's monumenty whence there is a beautiful prospect. The river Niagara, at QueenstowD, is about half a mile broad, and 'Jim 48 twenty-five feet deep; near Queenstown is the village of St. Catherine's, celebrated for its salt springs. The Whirlpool is situated about four miles from Queenstown, and eight from the Falls of Niagara, and is occasioned by the violent current issuing from the latter, the water being precipitated over a sudden slope upwards of fifty feet high, into a semi-circu- lar basin, revolves round in a continual eddy, rising and falling about two feet and a half every minute, and then rushes out between the narrow cliffs, which are here 300 feet in height. Following the River Niagara from Lake Erie, the water flows smoothly on for some miles, until Grand Island divides the river for about ten miles, forming Black Rock Harbour on the American side, and Chippewa on the British, the stream afterwards uniting at Navy Island ; the river here is two miles broad, but suddenly contracts to less than half a mile, and its current increases from I ' 1 i m ^ ' I II li I ' 'i llillljll M i ^ three to eight miles, until it approaches the Grand Falls. By the interposition of Goat Island, tha river is separated into three parts, forming: t^jc Great Horse-shoe Fall, on the western or British side, and those of Fort Slausser and Montmorenci, on the American. The larger island is about 960 feet broad, and the smaller one only about thirty. The three falls describe a crescent, and the breadth of the whole is about a mile and a quarter ; the fall on the British side is abo 2100 feet broad and 150 feet high, and that on the American about 1 140 feet broad and 160 high ; the precipice over which the cata- ract rolls is projected fifty feet beyond its base, the torrent forming an immense curtain of water, and which may be passed under for thirty or forty yards. There is a bridge throw ii over to Goat Island from the Ameri- can side. The waters of the Horse-shoe Fall at the' edge of the Table Rock, are of a brownish cast, further on of a brilliant white, and in the centre of a brilliant green; a ! ■'. 'I !|i!'!l|i:l 45 cloud of thick vapour rises in the centre, and has been observed on a clear day at ninety miles distance; the spray may be dis- tinctly seen two miles off, and the sound is heard at a distance of ten miles. The most striking view of the Falls is from the bottom, below on the British side, or from Table Rock, which is on a level with the edge of the Great Cataract. At Banders, about two miles down the river, there is a fine pros- pect of the Falls, the Rapids, and Goat Island. The descent of the Rapids, which com- mences near the village of Chippewa, two miles above the Great Fall, is ninety feet; the distance from the commencement of the Rapids above the pitch, is 148 feet, and the total altitude from the top of the Rapids to the bottom of the Fall is 207 feet. The River Niagara is 35 miles in length from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie; and is sup- posed to fall upwards of 300 feet between the two Lakes. Lake Erie is about 270 €:r • ' w '•iiiiiiii '\\ ^M I \M\ !i(! il i : !'!|l III 46 miles in lenii^th, 30 to 35 miles broad, anJ upwards of 700 in circumference ; it is the shallowest of all the lakes, and its waters are occasionally exceedingly rough, parti- cularly at the northern extremity : there are fourteen islands on this lake ; its surface is upwards of 300 feet above the level of Ontario. Opposite to Fort Erie is the American town of Buffalo, where the Grand Erie Canal commences, which connects Lake Erie with the River Hudson. This canal is 363 miles in length, 18 {t\i\. wide at the bot- tom, and 40 a^ the surface : there are eighty- three locks, each 90 feet long by 15 wide; and eighteen aqueducts. The Erie Canal was eight years in completing, and cost up- wards of £1,400,000. sterling. The canal boats take from thirteen to fourteen days from Lake Erie to New York, the goods being transhipped at Albany. The River Ouse is 150 miles long, and na- vigable for thirty miles. The town of Gnelph l!n;i:i;:i';'i; III 47 is situated on the Speed, one of its branches. At the mouth of the Ouse is Sherbrook, a naval depot. Port Talbot is nearly equi- distant between Niagara and Detroit, The River Detroit unites Lake Erie with Lake St. Clair, the navigation to which is not in- terrupted. . . — ;j > ■; Lake St. Clair is thirty miles long and nearly the same breadth ; the River Thames runs into it, and the towns of London, Chat- ham, and Oxford are situated on its banks. There is a large Delta at the upper end of Lake St. Clair, where the River St. Clair runs into Lake Huron, . ; A^ Lake Huron is about 250 miles long and 120 broad; its waters are about 570 feet above the level of the sea. The lands be- longing to the Canada Company commence in lat. 43° north, and extend sixty miles up the eastern shore. Georgia Bay, at the head of Lake Huron is 120 miles long and 50 broad, and at the extremity of which is Pen- tagushine, a small naval depot. -* !f 48 TliQ navigation to Lake Midiigoni through tho Strnitii of Mackillimnkiniik, is di*i?p ond iafe; but the patangt* to Luke Supurior is intvrrupted by Mio Uupids and I'nWu of St. Martyr, Lake Supeiiior ia about 360 milea long by 140 at its groiitost breadth: its waters are nearly 1000 feet above ^iie lerel of the tea. From the entrance of tho River St. Lawrence to tho head of Luke Superior it about iJlOO aiiles, . r ^^v'...' i%:^;:^' .■; i RBNAKKS ON TIIR OUMATK, SOIL, PRODUCK, AND AORIOULTUHK OP UPPBR CANADA. ,M SEASONS.— January is generally the cold* est month of the year. The temperature in Jnnuary and February frequently averages 15" below the freezing point of Fahrenheit. The spring commences in March, but the early part of that month is often rainy, dump, and tempestuous. Towards the en . of April the roads become dry, vegetation conun nces, and the fields afford a little pasture for cat- tle; in May, the earth is covered with ver- dure, and the buds of the trees expand with astonishing rapidity. In June, the orchards are in full blomom ; and a cloudless sky with a clear atmosphere prevail ; but in July or August the heat somt anes averages 80° or dO**! and mosquitoes and flies then become w 50 very troublesome, October is generally a delightful dry month, with mild weather, and clear frosty nights. The early part of November is called the Indian summer, from the genial warmth which then prevails; the atmosphere is' hazy, there being seldom any winds, and a halo often encircles the sun. Snow generally begins to fall the latter end of November or commencement of De- cember. Winds. — The winds blow from the south- west two-thirds of the summer months; and in passing over the lakes collect an unplea- sant moisture, which is most disagreeable iu spring and autumn, although generally mo- derate with a clear sky. The north-east and east winds are damp and chilly, bringing continued rains i>i suiiimer and snow in win- ter. North-west winds are the coldest, but the air is then always dry and elastic. South winds are soft, and accompanied with thaws or rains. Strong gales of wind generally occur about the middle or la.,.er end of Oc- / tober : squalls are frequent in the vicinity of biffh lands. ^ ^ Weather, — Rains prevail most in the spring and autumn, but May and June are sometimes extremely wet: fogs are almost unknown, and mists seldom occur inland. The month in \rhich the snow begins to fall, and that of its disappearance, are the most unpleasant months of the year, as it is then hardly possible to stir out of the house. The snow usually lays oh the ground for six or seven weeks; it is seldom more than two feet dfeep and always soft; tr.welling is then performed in sleighs; one pair of horses will draw with ease a ton weight on the snow, and travel forty to Mty miles in a day. In winter the thermometer occasionally stands several degrees below Zero, but seldom con- tinues so for more than three or four days, and the cold is by no means unpleasant : a dry cold air contracts the pores of the skin, and is in some measure a remedy for its in- tenseness. It seldom snows when the ther- -f'-'i Vk liliil'i l''""M i Mill ill I nil!! ii ■■\ I 'Ml 52 mometer is below Zero, and the sky is often* times bright and cloudless in winter for weeks together ; although the air is then ex« tremely keen, it is bracing, and may be borne without inconvenience, Aurora Borealis. — This beautiful phe- nomenon appears at all seasons^ but princi- pally from June until August; its appear- ance is generally announced by a crackling noise; the clouds in the east begin to ex- plode, first from the north and then from the south, meeting in the centre; they exhibit every variety of shade, from the deepest crimson to a pale yellow : at one time it appears in distant rays of light, but most frequently in a broad crescent, with the ex- tremities touching the horizon, and the inner line strongly marked, the space within being dark ; it then usually changes into magnifi- cent columns, which move towards the Ze- nith, and light the firmament with most lu- minous colours, vanishing and re-appearing frequently. The Aurora Borealis mostly ap- ^I';s'i: 53 /. pears during the last quarter of the moon, from the hours of ten at niVht until two in the morning. The Water of the lakes is soft and salu- brious; most of the land-springs however con- tract a slight taste of limestone, with v/hich they are impregnated ; water in low lands is not so pure nor so limpid as that from the bills ; but good springs are universally found either on the surface or by digging for them. Mineral Productions. — Beds of lime- stone are to be found throughout most dis- tricts of Upper Canada, and are useful both in building as well as for agricultural pur- poses. Gypsum is obtained in large quan- tities on the banks of the River Ouse, and is used in making plaster of Paris for manure. One ton of gypsum, when ground, will give twenty-six to twenty-eight bushels of plas- ter, which is sold for about 30#. a ton at the quarry ; one bushel is sufficient for an acre of land; and light sandy hot soils will pro- duce one-third more from its use ; it also f3 '' lii i'ilii ■i: ''l lllliiilii 54 kills the wormsy and checks weeds and rushes; it does not, however, answer near the sea, nor on wet stiff lands, having the property of attracting the humidity of the atmosphere. Clay for making bricks and pottery is found more or less. Pipe-clay is to be had near Burlington. Salt springs are met with at Wentworth, St. Catherine's, Saltfleet, and Barton; and salt might be made equal to that supplied from the salt, works at Onandago, in the United States, where it costs 17^. 6d. a barrel of eight bushels ; it is estimated that upwards of 100,000 dollars a year are paid to the United States for this article. The salt produced from these springs does not, however, answer so well for salting provisions as the English does. Salt sells for about Ss. 6e/. a bushel retail in Upper Canada. The Soil in Upper Canada is almost every where excellent, and easy of cultivation : the intenseness of the frost in winter breaks down and ameliorates the stiff clayey soils, and 'h 55 renders them so friable, that land does not require half the labour it does in England* A brown clay and loam, with a small por- tion of marl, intermixed with more or less white sand, generally predominate: the sur- face is usually composed of the deposit of decayed leaves and wood, forming a rich coat of vegetable mould, varying in depth from one to three inches, and which will yield several successive crops without manure. Where hard timber, such as maple, beech, black birch, black walnut, elm, and oak predominate, the soil usually consists of a deep black loam ; but where fir and hemlock are intermixed, the soil is clayey ; on elevated situations, however, where they grow alone, it is usually sandy: sandy soils are unfa- vourable for grass, but with the use of gyp- sum they will produce the heaviest crops of wheat, Indian corn, and clover. In wet seasons the clayey soils will furnish the most grass. On the banks of rivers there are rich tracts of alluvial soil to be met with. w 56 |i-!iir i iii!iii!||!i|i|i beyond which portions of the land rise in fine elevation; the country is, howtjver, ge- nerally level, ■ ' ' Clearing Land. — An able bodied nnan can cut down the trees on an acre of land in the course of a week, and without over- working himself, may clear, fence; and put under crop, ten acres of land in twelve months. In felling trees, a notch is gene- rally cut into each side of the tree, about two or three feet from the ground, and rather more than half through the side on which it is intended to fall ; the, trees are all felled in the same direction, and after the principal branches are lopped off, the logs are cut into lengths of ten to twelve feet, this is called junking: one man can cut down and prepare twenty to twenty-five trees in a day. The logs are generally left in this state until the month of May, when the whole of the branches of one foot diameter and under, together with the small wood, are burnt; and the large logs drawn away and sawed up for various pur- 67 poses. Girdling trees is effected by cutting a notch or circle nil round tbroncrh the hark, by which the sap is prevented rising, and the tree being deprived of its nourishment, the branches cease to grow. The surface of the earth, after the wood is burnt, is merely raked over with a hoe or harrow, and without further preparation the seed is sown, as new land does not require ploughing. The roots of most trees in Canada run horizontally along the surface of the earth, and so close to it, that there is but very little hold or depth of root. The roots of spruce, beech, birch, and maple, decay in about four or five years, but those of hemlock, cedar, spruce, and pine last much longer, particu- larly the latter, owing to the quantity of resinous matter contained in them. Stumps in a certain state of decay are said to become injurious to health : some people dig them up, and leave them on the surface to dry, where they burn them after two or three years: rooting out stumps is,bowever,a very &'i iiKii 1 rl spB ■:'ili '■'.i! pl! 58 expensive and laborious operation, and as much as £15. an acre has been paid for it. A patent has, however, lately been taken out by an American for a machine to eradicate stumps: the machinery is made of wrought iron, and requires two horses to work it; be charges half a dollar for eradicating each stump. Every year has some effect upon the appearance of the stumps, and by this a person may judge of the period when ihe land was cleared. For the first two or three years after the trees are cut down, the stumps require to have the young shoots or branches, which spring out, cut off. Scorched timber becomes very hard and difficult to cut down, and also takes a longer time to decay, fire might therefore be of service in seasoning timber; the wood work of houses and furni- ture being very apt to crack when cold air is let into a heated room. Forest trees are generally found growing eight feet apart, the intermediate space being filled up with brush vyood. Wide roads are always dangerous to Hi;' ■"^■r y :iH:! 59 the traveller in windy weather. Trees are not generally found so large in their girth as in their height, being frequently upwards of one hundred feet high. Black and yellow birch, elm and ash, denote good soils; maple and hemlock, rich soils: white birch, spruce, and trees of stunted growth, inferior soils. The sugar maple is the tree of principal growth, and its strength denotes the power of the soil; next come beech, elm, and bass. Elevated dry lands afford growth to oak and hickory. Low lands produce walnut, asb, poplar, cherry, beech, maple, and elm. Swamps are covered with cypress and cedar. Pine abounds most on the banks of small rivers and creeks. Hemlock is usually found near streams. Cherry, black walnut, birch, and oak, are met with, dispersed about. Trees felled in the winter and autumn, yield a much superior timber to those cut down in the spring and sumi er, the wood being found more tenacious and durable; besides, which, the leaves and shoots afford good .'!i:' f|'';i 60 food for the cattle during the winter. The best season for peeling off the bark or rind of the trees, is from the middle of May to the middle of July* CROPS, is the grain most raised, A Wheat bushel is the average quantity sown on new lands; old lands require from one quarter to one half bushel more, and as the season advances the quantity of seed should be in- creased : two large a quantity of seed tends, however, to deteriorate the grain, particularly when sown in the spring, as from the quick- nessofvegetation,thestalksoften become dried up before the ear has received sufficient nou- rishmeni to swell the grain. The earlier the seed is put in the better, as the plant becomes firmer rooted, and is not so liable to be in- jared by the frost in the spring. Wheat sown in the spring is neither so productive nor so safe a crop, in Upper Canada, as when sown in the tall, the latter ripening three to four 61 weeks earlier ; it is however considered that spring wheat yields a more nutricious and palatable flour, although not so white as the produce of winter wheat, which latter gene- rally turns out a heavier and plumper grain. Ploughing for spring wheat usually com- mences the first or second week in April, and the seed may be sown from the middle of April to the middle of May, Winter wheat is put in from the first to the third week in September. Wheat often fails from the grain being checked in ripening, by rust or blight, but good seedy early sowing, and the use of lime will generally ensure a good crop : the seed ought also to be changed as often as convenient. Wheat in Canada is not so liable to be injured by the fly as it is in the United States, but birds and squirrels are very troublesome among the ^^ops. Wheat on new lands returns an average produce of twenty-five to thirty bushels an acre, on old lands from twenty to twenty-five, but in >vet seasons not above fifteen to twenty. The 6 \v§v liiS::i;l!illlMI'!ll ■m m i I , 'I ■ ;!' :<:. \ •<' 62 average produce in England is eighteen bushels from three of seed. Canada wheat is heavier, harder, and yields more flour than Baltic wheat, the usual returns being 501Ls. weight of flour per bushel ; the Canada bushel is generally calculated to weigh only 60 lbs., whereas the English bushel v/ciglis 70 lbs., eight bushels, making one quarter. In the United States five bushels of wheat are reckoned equal to one barrel of flour, weighing 196 lbs. nett. The flour made in the British Provinces is not in general so much esteemed as that of the United States, owing to want of attention on the part of the millers in not grinding the wheat, nor bolting the flour properly. Wheat is gene- rally collected by the dealers in the months of February and March, in order to be sent to Montreal and Quebec as soon as the ice breaks up: it is often very foul from the weeds, and the negligence of most farmers in not cleaning and drying it with suflicient care; the wheat therefore requires to be 63 sifted before it can be exportec), and, in con- sequence, seldom answers to the original measure. If the farmer would put his wheat twice through the fan, he would have the waste :^ feed his pigs, and the remainder would bring more money than what it other- wise sells for, by saving the merchant at Montreal, a loss of weight and expence of labour. » Buck Wheat is cultivated to a consider- able extent, and yields about thirty bushels an acre from three pecks of seed. Rye succeeds well, and will give twenty bushels an acre; it is mostly used for the purposes of distillation. ( i Oats are indifferent, being light and small ill the grain, and not nutricious, supposed to be owing to a want of good seed : one bushel of oats will yield about IGlbs. of meal. Barley is but little cultivated, the weather being too warm and dry to favour its growth: malting is also rather difiicull, owing to the seasons varying so much in temperature, and j "1 > ( 1 ■:;ii m i'l I 1 ! :.; Ill, (]4 the beor and spirits made from it are conse- quently seldom good. Wuiler barley or bere is, however, said to malt tolerably well. Millet ss a useful grain, although but little cultivated : three quarts of seed are sufficient for one acre, which, on good lands, will produce as much as forty bushels: millet will ripen if sown in the end of June, and makes better bread than rye. Indian Corn is much cultivated, and yields largely, if not injured by the frosts; the average produce is thirty to thirty-five bushels, forty is reckoned a good crop : it is generally planted about the end of May. The leaves and tops of the Indian corn make excellent winter food for cattle. Potatoes succeed well, but are generally inferior in quality, being for the most part watery and badly flavoured : they return fioui 170 to 200 bushels per acre. Pota- toes are generally plattted in round hollowtj, three to four inches deep, and fifteen to twei] in ea with woul Tc food buslu prodii better come dish t comm< the sp them. and nc ^'ver, ( it is no PUM dant pr much { also mi commui milk; I •ii; 65 tw^enty broad : three to five sets are planted ill each hollow, which are then covered over with R hoe: it is supposed, however, they would answer better if planted in drills. Turnips form a valuable crop, as winter food for cattle, and return from 200 to 300 bushels per acre. Turnips are larger and produce more when drilled, as the seed is better deposited, and the roots of the plants come more in contact with the soil, Swe* dish turnips require a better soil than the common sort; they also keep much better in the spring, and cattle require less hay with them. The cotnmon turnip is usually watery and not so solid. Mangel wurzel is, how- ever, cultivated in preference to turnips, as it is not affected by the fly. Pumpkins or gourds give a more abun- dant produce than turnips, and will weigh as much as 30Ibs. to 40lb8. each: they are also more liked by the cattle, and do not communicate any unpleasant flavour to the milk; salt is generally mixed with thsm. g3 ii 66 Pumpkin seeds may be planted or scattered ill the interstices, between the rows of Indian corn. V, ■ Hav and Clover, — The meadows in Ca- nada possess a fine close turf, well covered at the roots with clover, but can only be mowed once a year, owing to the lateness of the spring ; indeed the great heats and long droughts render meadows for the most part unproductive. Timothy grass, which is in- digenous in Canada, having immense roots, endures the heats of summer better than any other sort. Clover returns about three tons per acre, two tons the first cut and one the second. Plaster of Paris is very useful as a manure for grasses, particularly clover, which it causes to grow higher, to become of a darker and more brilliant green, with thicker and longer leaves: it should be spread in the autumn, previous to a slight rain, about as much plaster as seed. No meadows will bear cutting for many succes- sive years without deteriorating io quantity y 67 ami generally in quality: every three or futir years it would be advisable to plough up and sow grain, and alteroate grass and grain, especially upon light soils : clover is an excellent preparation for a wheat crop. It is generally calculated in England, that grass made into hay loses by heat and eva- poration five-sixths of its weight. The grass should be cut before it fully opens into blootn; most grasses losing one-third of their nutritive qualities, as well as weight, by be- ing allowed to stand for seed ; whereas, by cutting early, a second crop may often be secured. Hay-makers should follow the mowers within a few hours after the grass is cut, turning it over, and gathering it up into stacks, two or three times in rapid succession. If hay is stacked with the layers of last year*s straw in the proportion of one-third, or even one-half, the whole will form excellent fod- der : the layers of hay may be sprinkled with a peck to a peck and a half of salt, rhich will check the wasting fermentation; \> 68 , ;i|,. !;: ..I! i liii: :i-. ill I and hay prepared In this manner is relished by horses and cattle in preference to any other. Hops thrive well in Canada, and the flower is larg-er than that of the English plant: they sell for about I*. 6e/,# , Fruits. — The soil and climate are alike favourable for the growth of fruits: fruit is, however, but little attended to, exceptino- apples, which are fine, for cyder. Cyder sells for about IO5. per barrel, of thirty-two gallons. Apple trees shoi^ be planted above thirty feet asunder, wmi a peach tree between ; they usually bear fruit in five years from the pip. Thfi apples peculiar to Canada, and which are'nqckoned very fine, are the russet or gfrfapple, the hawthorn dean or snow apple,* the famous pippin, and the bcuraso. W . Hemp. — The cultivation of hemp in Ca- nada, if properly encouraged, might be at- tended with the most beneficial results, both to the grower as well as the exporter, and woul ment soil a liarly and i purcl: fixed for re ment to ma res pec Hei after t rally t baust the se( where black for hei strons: more fi dows I are ah 69 would no doubt meet with every encouraj^e- metit from the government at home. The soil and climate of Upper Canada are pecu- liarly favourable for the growth of hemp, and if a moderate capital were employed in purchasing the article of the grower, at a fixed price, proper places being appointed for receiving and dressing it, a fair induce- ment would perhaps be held out for parties to make trial of a certain quantity on their respective farms. Hemp is pc(^iarly adapted for first crops after the land is cleared, the soil being gene- rally too rich for grain, and it does not ex- haust the land more than any other crop, if the seed is not left ^td^ipen. The swamps where the ash grow9,jnpbrally contain a rich black alluvium, and^Sike excellent ground for hemp, standing two or three crops; its strong effect on the soil rendering the latter more fit afterwards for wheat ; the rich mea« dows by the rivtr sides and intervale lands are also well adapted for hemp; this plant V, wk i iiii I'V'-i . 1 70 has the property of extirpating^ caterpillars wherever it is grown, and is therefore useful in hedge rows. . The following practice has been pursued with the cultivation of hemp in Lower Ca- nada. — After ploughing the land three times, the seed is sown broadcast, about three bushels to an acre, after which the land is harrowed ; the male h^ ip is pulled about the first week in September, laid out in rows, and turned over until sufficiently dried— it is then steeped in pools of stagnant water, about three feet deep, and being well covered over, is left there for a week or a fortnight, according to the temperature of the atmos- phere; when the hei||^ peels easily from the stalk, it is taken out to drain, and thoroughly dried. The frost is found to assist in de- stroying the glutinous matter, and fticilitate the separation of the hemp from the pith. Water retting is considered preferable to dew retting, as the articles manufactured from hemp, prepared by the latter process, are fuuni weat bloor seed tober for a out; the s^ from from plant iierallj one-th acre S( three < hemp i duce i 500 H)s with a acre ol Canada age cr( 71 found to decay sooner when exposed to the weather; hemp ftbould be pulled when the bloom falls, and before the boll is formed ; seed hemp is left until the first week in Oc- tober, and after the plants have been dried for a couple of days, the seed is then tlirasbed out; the quality of the hemp produced from the seed plant is inferior to that produced from the male plant, which becomes tough from being dressed late in the season, as the plant does not dry so well, and it is also ge- nerally calculated that the produce is about one-third less. The average return of an acre sown with hemp in Lower Canada for three years, was 6 cwt, of clean dressed hemp of the best quality ; whereas the pro- duce in England is only from 450 lbs. to 500 H)s. of clean dressed hemp per acre, with about fourteen bushels of seed. An acre of land sown with hemp, in Upper Canada, is estimated to produce an aver- age crop of two tons of raw hemp, yield- ing, when dressed, half a ton of clean ;jj M. ■ ai ^^ 72 iiii il!lilll!i hemp, besides eight or (en bushels of seed : the expense of seed, culture, and harvesting' may be taken at £4. lbs, an acre; and the cost of dressing, owing to the high price of labour, comes to about as much more, mak- ing in all about £19. currency per ton of clean hemp, or £17. sterling: from this, however, ought to be deducted the value of the seed, which, at lO^.per bushel, would of Itself nearly repay the expense of cultiva- tion. The carriage of the hemp from Upper Canada to Montreal, shipping expenses and agency there, with the freight and insurance to England, may amount to about £8. or £9. a ton more, and, as hemp, the produce of the British colonies, pays no duty in Eng- land, it might probably be delivered for £25. a ton, leaving a fair margin for profit, supposing it to be of a good merchantable quality. The dressing of hemp in the winter season would afford employment to a num- ber of hands when other occupations are stopped; neverthelessi if hemp could be sent been durir plian ex pel dress< in Ci wonk Fl. broad ( val an grown for an i bushel] on a fii from ei being a rigid ai differen ting, dr to fret c for seed require 73 Wt] sent to England in a raw state, and it baa been ascertained, tbat by keeping it in stacks during tbe winter, the frost renders it more pliant and easier to dress, a great saving of expense might be effected, as it could be dressed better and cheaper in England than in Canada, and any difference in freight would not be an object. ^\.r fe;a. Flax.— The seed may either be sown^ broadcast or drilled at about nine inches inter-, val and covered over with a light harrow: if grown for seed, two bushels will be sufficient for an acre, but if for the flax, as much as four^ bushels will be required ; for if sown too thia on a fine soil, the stems will grow far apart, from each other and branch out ; the bark being also more exposed to the sun becomes rigid and dark coloured, and therefore in the different processes it has to undergo of ret- ting, dressing, and bleaching, is more liable to fret or break. Most of tbe flax intended for seed is sown in the autumn ; the plants, require to be carefully weeded. When flax H i\ 74 ';.ai >ii 18 pulled before the seed is ripe, it i^ called white flax, and seed flax if left to ripen. When ripe, it is pulled and made up into small bundles, and laid on the ground a day or two to dry, after which it is carried to be steeped in stagnant wiUer, being p!ar J with the tops uppermost, and covered i^t^er wc^b sods; this is called water retting, and is considered preferable to dew retting. When sufliciently steeped the tops will come off, and the flax easily parts from the boon ; it must afterwards be spread in a meadow, and left in the rain until the soil is completely washed oflT, turning it over until the boon separates; it is then gathered up, and when perfectly dry, may be put into a stack or barR» Seed flax may either be whipped out in the field, or stacked up until the springs The produce of an acre u^ill average about CXKIIbs. ; and the expense of seed, culti- yating, harvesting, and dressing, comes to about £8. an acre. BiRCH«-— This tree may be tapped for its 75 - ^ • - juice, ill a similar manner to the maple, about the beginning of April, or before the leaves appear: if the tree is large, it will admit of being tapped in three or four places, and will yield several gallons of jube, which may be converted into a good substitute for wine, requiring about 4 lbs. of sugar to every gallon of juice. There are three sorts of birch trees in Canada, the black, the yello^r, and the white; the wood of the two former is tough, and possesses a fine curled grain, fit for cabinet-makers' use. White birch fur- nishes the bark from which the canoes are made. The branches of the birch tree make the best charcoaU Beech.— The nuts of the beech tree af- ford by compression, an oil, said to be nearly equal to that of the olive, and the refuse serves to fatten cattle; the leaves of the tree are used for stuHing mattresses. Beech wood yields the most potash ; it is also used by turners for making chairs, &c. Black Walnut, commonly called butter- ii s Ii, m 76 .:i ill ,'i liut; this wood is used by furniture-makers, and the bark serves for dyeing; an extract from it is used in medicine as an aperient. The fruit makes excellent pickleSo * Pine, — The white and yellow, or Wey- ^Tiouth pine, is one of the loftiest trees in the forest, and will grow to the height of 120 to 130 feet: the medium size is 60 feet bv 20 inches: this tree furnishes the most useful wood of any, from it softness, strength, and durability ; and is principally used in house building. The red pine is, however, harder, stronger, and more durable than the white, being closer m the grain, but is not so abundant as the latter. Pine is called white or red, not from the colour of the wood, but the hue of the bark. Pine is usually met with in sandy districts. Spruce, or black pine, is a tall strait tree,* the wood is hard, but not so durable as the white puie; this tree furnish^^s the essence called spruce. ' Hemiock, or Canadian pine, grows very larg fitf mem worl wet It m near and s to th< Ea fit foi Ce] a ligh ma kin fence i black them. Oak rable a pact ar it is a( re; the Ince ery 77 large, and furnishes a durable wood, but not fit for carpenters' use ; it i:», however, of im- mense strength, and excellent for out-door work, from its enduring the alternation of I wet and dry better than any other wood. It makes good lafh-wood, and its bark is useful in tanning. This tree is usually found near strea;^^. I^ARCHi, also called tamarack, grows tall and strait, brt not very large ; it is preferretjl to the red pine for ship-building. Bass, or plantane, produces a soft wood, fit for turners' use. i Cedar. — The white cedar, or py press, is a light durable wood, prineipaUy used for making shingles: cedar hedges cn,ake a good fence for wheat fields ; as also the American black thorn, as the cattle M{ill not feed upou them. Oak. — The Canadian oak is is not so du- rable as theBritiM), the fibre being less com- pact and strong, grain more open and soft; it is also apt ^o be s.pongy; it will not en- h3 ill? ; • iMH! % ||l| Ih ^^^B B^''*?! Ilii ;! 78 dure the weather above fifteen years, although it lasts longer when sent to England : all the Canadian oak timber is perfectly strait; white oak for masts will run 120 feet i'l length by 4 in diameter. Ash, — The wood of the prickly ash is fit for furniture ; a decoction of it is considered an excellent specific in rheumatic cases; the inner bark is good in intermittent fevers; the wood is useful for wheelwrights, and in making wood hoops. * Juniper makes excellent charcoal, and is the best wood for smoaking provisions. Ginseng.— This root was formerly highly prized by the Chinese, and formed a consi- derable article of export from Canada ; it possesses a sweetish taste, similar to liquorice, but rather acrid and atomatic : the plant should he gathered in September, and dried gradually in the sun. Canada Balsam is produced from a spe- cies of the pine called balsam spruce; this resinous substance exudes in small drops 79 from an incision in the bark; it sells for about 6c/. a lb. in Montreal. Leather Tree. — The bark of this tree is used in making hats. < : ; .. ShUxMAC grows plentifully in Canada, and is useful in tanning and dyeing. Sassafras — The smell of this wood drives away vermin, and is therefore much em- ployed for making bedsteads; it is also used ukedicinally. Beet Root and Parsnips may be used as substitutes for malt, by pressing out the juice and properly drying them; one-fourth part of these roots added to three-fourths of malt are considered to make the beer more wholesome. Sun Flower. — This plant thrives well in Canada; and the seeds when pressed yield a very mild pleasant oil, which may be used as a substitute for olive oil. The seed should be sown in a good soil, about three feet apart, in small holes. When the plant has attained the height of three ill ■i P I II IJ 80 feet, the earth must he hilled up round the roots. An acre will produce from forty to fifty bushels of seed, and a bushel of seed will yield one gallon of oil. The seeds when ripe are hulled and crushed, and afterwards put into linen or woollen bn^^s and pressed; the bags should be exposed to heat in cold weather. The refuse is good for fattening poultry and pigs. Tobacco thrives extremely well in va- rious parts of Upper Canada ; it requires a rich sandy loam, and will yield about 1000 lbs. per acre, and in some lands as much as 1-200lbs. to ISOOIbs.; it sells for 2d, to Sd. per lb., making the returns of an acre about £40. One man can attend to the cultivation of five acres. Canadian to- bacco is of a mild agreeable flavor, and UQt so pungent as the Virginian. Beet Sugar. — The roots, after being prtr perly cleaned, are cut into slices, bruised, and subjected to the press, in order to ex- tract the juice, which is thick and of s\ dark coloi and I consi purit forms syrup of be( sugar, ofpul sugar two (ii juice ii 17,500 sugar s (luce tij of the h Map] sugar h and gro Js bard, Jt is a Is tiiat caFI. esteemed 81 colour: the juice is next clarified with lime, and afterwards evaporated by boiling to the consiiitency of a syrup, skimming off the im- purities ; when the liquor becomes cold it forms a dark coloured sugar, leaving the syrup at the bottom of the vessel : 2000 lbs. of beet root will yield about 100 lbs. of raw sugar, besides 80 1 bs. of molasses, and 600 1 bs. of pulp, for fattening cattle: 100 lbs. of raw sugar will return about 80 lbs. of refined: two days are sufficient for converting the juice into sugar. One acre will grow about 17,500 lbs. of beet root. Supposing the sugar sold for 3c?. per lb. an acre would pro- duce the value of £10. besides the advantage of the pulp for fattening cattle. Maple Sugar. — The tree which produces sugar is called the rock, or sDgar maple, and grows fifty to sixty feet high; its wood is hard, and fit for mill work ; some of it is also beautifully grained, particularly that fxJIed bird's-eye maple, which is much esteemed by cabinet-makers : the soft maple ^^ ii m m w 82 li' .':,!, 1.;,, :::i: tree dt>fy yields a very small quantity of .• vv:'>Ki'» S- V ■!•> . t. 'I sugar, ■i^r'K^-- :. 'iiJfvr v^': . -i The season for extracting the juice com- mences in March ami April, wheu sharp frosty nights are succeeded by sun-shinev days; and the sap being dissolved from its congealed state begins to Aow^ and becomes a saccharine juice, which exudes through the punctures made in the trees. In rainy and cold weather but little juice can be ob- tained, as it is the heat of the sun which causes the sap to flow ; and there are gene« rally not more than nine or ten propitious days fcHT collecting the maple juice during the month in which the season lasts: a good maple tree will continue to yield juice for fifty years, . A hole of about one inch diameter is bored in ti>e tree with an auger at from three to four (eei from the root, niiikiiig an oblique incision upwards, about one inch and a half deep ; a small spigot of alder, or shumac, is then introduced into the incision, which convc place( every is pre taken spoon! would The jt qunntii one pit the nu exceed stand in teen to five ga the hoi as soon At t boiled ently ev syrup, sugar, the moisi ll of 83 conveys ihc juice iiUo a trough or pnn placed to receive it; the latter being emptied every evening into barrels in which the juice is preserved and left to settle, care being taken to prevent its fermenting by adding a spoonful of slacked lime, as the fermentation would render it unfit for making sugar. The juice is of a pleasant flavor, and the quantity obtained from each tree varies from one pint to a gallon per day, according to the number of punctures, which ought not exceed four: a tree of good average size and standing will yield on an average from fif- teen to twenty gallons of juice, and three to five gallons of juice will give I tb. of sugar: the holes in the trees should be plugged up as soon as the sap has ceased running. At the close of the season the juice is boiled down under a slow fire until su(Kci« ently evaporated, when it becomes a thick syrup, or molasses ; if intended for moist sugar, it must be continually stirred until the moisture appears to be evaporated, the II i ll ^I^^H 1 ^^H li i i HI 1 '' Ti't I^^^^H ^^^^^H If •Km ^I 84 m molasses is then left to drain oflf; but in or- der to convert it into lump sugar, the syrup is boiled down and strained off; a little milk, or the white of an egg, being thrown in to assist in clarifying it ; it is then turned into moulds to harden. Maple sugar is clean, hard, and pleasant to the eye, but has rather a peculiar flavor. Great improvements might be introduced in this branch of industry, both in preserving the trees by a more careful mode of tapping them, boring the holes with augers instead of the usual method of cutting the trees with an axe, as well as by paying more atteiaion in making the sugar ; it has been also ascer* tained, that when the sap is extracted higher up in the tree the juice proves sweeter, although perhaps yielding a less quantity. The quantity of maple sugar produced in Lower Canada has hitherto been considered as equal to nearly two-thirds of the consump- tion of the country, although West India sugar is sold nearly as cheap. 86 ' The juice mny also be converteil into wine, spirits, or vinegar, *t: The articles required in the manufactory of maple sugar, are wooden troughs, with casks or tubs, and a copper boiler. ♦♦ Potash is a fixed vegetable alkali, pre- pared by pouring water upon the ashes of burnt woods, plants, &c., in order to extract the salt from them ; the water which holds the salts in solution is then evaporated so as to leave the salts dry ; these salts are called lixivial, signifying* a ley made from ashes. The operation of < vaporating the water is performed in large "on pots, and hence the term Potash. From 400 to 500 bushels of best ashes, and GOO to 700 good and indif- ferent are usually required to make one ton of Potash, worth, upon an average, £25.; by a new process, however, a ton of Potash has been produced from 250 bushels of good ashes. Tv o *en can prepare a ton of potash in a month. Herbaceous plants, particularly fern, fur- I 1^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) y 1.0 I.I 1.25 1^ IIIM 12.5 12.0 liS 2.0 1.8 U IIIIII.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4.1,"i^ m nisli the most ashes ; shrubs g^ive more than trees, leaves more than branches, and bran- ches more than trunks; the hardest and best ^uods give the most alkali, particularly beech ; pine and soft woods do not answer ; stalks of beans, gourds and potatoes, the stems of sun-flower and maize, in short, most Tes^etable substances afft^rd a greater or less quantity of alkali, varying in strength and colour, and requiring difiereut modes of treatment. -^ ^^*^^ The first operation is for the farmer to collect all such vegetable substances, parti- cularly the underwood and small branches of trees cut down on clearing the land, and stack them in some sheltered spot, where they can be burnt when convenient ; the plants and roots shouM be kept as free as possible frum all the earthy particles that ad- here to them, which otherwise render the potash impure.'""*'^' ' ' .v^r^-. When these substances are burnt, a gradual fire should be kept up, feeding and stirring 87 It confmually, so that every particle may be thoroughly reduced, as otherwise there will remain an extractive quality in the ashes, which injures the strength of the alkali. The ashes are generally sold by the farmers to the potash manufacturers at the rate of 6d, to 9d, a bushel, according to quality. ^ The materials required for carrying on the next process, after that the s^b8tances have been thoroughly reduced to ashes, consist of two or three vats or tubs, called leeches, for soaking the ashes ; the most convenient sizes are about six feet square by five feet deep— ihe tubs should be made water tight, with a plug«hoIe at the bottom for letting off the ley, and be placed on stands about two feet from the ground. ■^^ Various methods are adopted in the process of soaking the ashes, in order to extract the lixivium, some using cold and otbers^ bot water; the principal object should be to produce an article of the purest quality con- taining the greatest quantity of alkali : cold water is supposed to extract the strongest r i I 88 alkali; but in the new process warm water IS used, adding to it a portion of lime pre-> vious to pouring the water over the ashes : warm water is supposed to hold in solution a greater quantity of salts than cold does, as it penetrates the ashes better, and extracts the salts more readily, but at the same time it is said to weaken the alkali, so that the potash, on being tested, will only pass as a second sort, _, 4^. _, After putting some rushes or straw at the bottom of the tub, a layer of ashes is care- fully spread on the same, and so on alter- n^ielyi^ iiqtil the tub is two-thirds full, when water id poured on quite up to the brim ; after leaving the water to filter through the ashes for about forty-eight hours, the lixivium is then drained off through a hole at the bot < tom of the tub, and passes by a trough into other receivers ; more water is then poured on until the ashes are entirely deprived of their salts. The ashes should be wetted be- fore they are steeped, and if the ley is re- passed over fresh ashes, it will produce a of le- re- a 89 stronger alkali. The water used for soaking^ the ashes should be soft ; hard or brackish water will not answer. When the ley or liquor is supposed to have attained a strength equal to about 15 per cent., it is fit for boiling, and is then of a dark brownish colour, but gives a yellow tinge to the wood. The kettles used for boiling the liquor are mostly made at the iron works at Trois Ri- vieres, in Lower Canada, and cost from £20. to £25. each; they should be chosen shallow. The lees, after being strained, must be kept boiling for several hours, and in proportion as they evaporate, more lees must be poured on until the whole assumes the consistency of thick paste, and becomes of a fine claret colour ; the ley must also be kept stirring all the time it is boiling, to prevent its adhering to the sides of the kettle : indeed the produce greatly depends upon the proper manage- ment of this part of the operation. The ley being left to cool, becomes a solid body, I 3 |i ' I! : -I i' '■' if Si: 1' I I f 90 i / like grey stone, of a rusty reddish hue, and IS then called potash ; it is generally packed in barrels, weighing 3cwt. each. Pearlash is made by calcining potash in an oven, keeping it for some time in a state of fusion, in order to free it from all impurities, when it becomes white, and is termed Pearl- ash. The Cattle in Canada are generally small, lean and poor, owing to a want of good pasture, as well as from being so long confined in the stalls during winter, and where they are in general badly fed. Cattle are usually put into the stable between the middle of November and the 1st of Decern* ber, and turned out again from the middle of April to the first week in May; about a ton of hay, with straw, is reckoned sufficient winter stock for cattle, one with another: hay usually costs 50«. per 100 bundles of 17 lbs. each, and straw 25«. Lean cattle will gain in pasture during the summer months from ifoibs. to 220 lbs,, and yield •V from 780 lbs. to 820!bs« of meat, besides 110 lbs. to 120 lbs. of tallow, which latter is usually very goo J. Cows are smaller, and give less milk than in England ; their average produce, when in the meadows, is from ten to twelve quarts a day, yielding from i^lbs. to 101bs« of but- ter, and 10 lbs. to 12 lbs. of cheese per week —when first turned out in the spring their milk is apt to contract a disagreeable flavor, owing to the animals eating a species of wild garlic, which then abounds in the woods. The butter is also often of a sourish flavor, the cream being kept too long before it is churned. A dairy farm of twenty cows has been known to yield the following produce, viz: Cheese, in the summer 1200 dollars. Butter 100 20 Calves, at 6 dirs. each 100 15 Pigs, 10 .• 150 99 9» » 99 :fir. 1550dlrs.=£3008(g. ^m 92 Sheep are small, and their wool coarse ; their fleeces average from 2 lbs. to 5 lbs. of wool each, worth Is. Sd. to 2«. per lb.: the pasture in Canada is not suited for sheep, being rank and coarse. Carding wool costs 6d. to 9d, per lb,, weaving cloth l^r. to 1^. 6d. per yard, and fulling and pressing l^. 6d. to 38, per yard. Fish. — The shad resembles the herring in flavor, but is as large as a moderate sized salmon ; they are taken in May and June, and salt down well. The maskinonge is a species of pike, peculiar to North America ; it has a long hooded snout. The pickerel is about the size of a haddock, which it resem- bles in flavor. The herrings are large, but not fine. Salmon is not so good the further you go from the sea. Large quantities of salmon, sturgeon, and herrings are taken in Lake Huron; the sturgeon furnishes good isinglass, which may hereafter become a staple article of export. Isinglass is prepared froni the sounds of ;> of in od of 93 the sturgeon, which must be taken from the fish perfectly sweet and fresh, slit open and washed from the slime, being divested of the thin membrane that envelopes it, and from which it easily separates ; it is then ex- posed to the air and sun, to stiffen a little, in which state it is formed into rolls about the thickness of the finger, and pressed into shapes by weights; a thin membrane is ge- nerally selected from the centre of the roll, round which the rest are folded alternately, and about half an inch of each extremity is turned inwards. An inferior quality of isinglass may be extracted from the other mucilagenous parts of the fish. Isinglass should be prepared in summer, as the fro^t is apt to give it a disagreeable colour, de« prives it of weight, and impairs its gelatinous matter. n» ^ : Bees thrive well in Upper Canada, but the honey is not fine flavored, owing to a want of flowers for them to feed upon. , TiMj|j£R TRADE.-*Square timber consists '.' II V, I ■V, t i! r h I 5)4 of logpi of pine, spruce, oak» birch, and maple — ihe trees are nimply reduced by hewing^ until the logs form right angles with each other, tapering from the butt to the top.-~* Pine logs are from forty to seventy feet long/ and two to three thick. Deals and boards are sawed into thick- nesses of one, two, and three inches, but of various lengths ; standard deals ought to be nineteen feet eleven inches long, eleven in- ches broad, and thr^ feet wide. Scantling is niiade from spruce and pine trees, sawed into proper sizes for beams and rafters* Masts and spars are of all dimensions. Lumber consists of lath wood, shingles, dap boards, and staves. Staves are either of oak, ash, or fir, and are cut into proper lengths for pipes, pun- cheons, hogsheads, or barrels ; they are sold by the long thousand of 1200 staves; a standard stave is five feet and a half long, one inch and a half thick, and five inches broad. Oak staves are mostly made from •tr 95 red oak« which is of an open grain, and ex^* ceedingly pliant. Canada etaven are always split and not sawed» and are thicker on one side than the other, but are measured on the thin side. The prrice of staves increases one-^ fifth for every half inch increase in thicknei^s —one inch staves are charged two«thirds of the price of standard. Staves four feet and a half long, ate reckoned three for two standard ; three feet and a half and two feet and a half long, are reckoned two for one i two feet and a half are reckoned the same as three and a half, because they are generally broader, and fit for headings ; 1200 staves, well packed^ measure about fifteen tons. and ■ y,-,--'/^ ;;..- ^ un- :^i{l^ .;".-\'' '/'':' ;:':/''^^ told '%l-'f u:-^ ■':■;■ "■•' ■'' -■'■' ■■'■ • ; a ^ V 'f'-'^r^:'* '"t'V^'* ' * ^ •, >ng» . , .» ^v 1. * « ^ * S 1 < * » ■' • r 1 - thes rom .ilK«il..il;..:'^/: 7•^.^^i^■^ ".■ ,•'- » ,:• ' -U4 '6 ,.'*> '•' *. ' ■:'Y :\ 'II i i 'l 96 ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF CULTIVATING VARIOUS PRODUCTS IN UPPER CANADA^ BY HIRED LABOUR. \ WHEAT. PER ACRE. 9. d. Seed 1} to 1} bushel per acre, at As. 5 : 6 Ploughing ••..•..•.« 7 : 6 Sowing and harrowing ••.•• 2: 6 Reaping, binding, carting & stacking ,12 : 6 Thrashing 10 : £1 : 18 : Cradling and binding wheat costs about 7«. an acre. INDIAN CORN. «• l7. Seed \i bushel 3 : 6 Ploughing twice ...«• .13: 6 Planting and harrowing ,••••••• 3 : Hoeing twice ««, 6: 9 Ploughing between the rows . . . • il : 6 Hawling and thrashing , 7 : 6 Husking •••••••••••• t...* 9 : £2:4:9 : 6 6 9 6 6 : 9 87 OATS. PER ACRE. «. d. SeedSbusbels 3: 9 Ploughing, sowing, aud reaping . . 11 : Thrashing 5: 19 : 9 PEAS. «. d. Seed 3 bushels 6: 9 Ploughing.... 9: Sowing and harrowing 2: 3 Hawling and thrashing 5 : £1:3:0 CLOVER. SeedSlbs.; 3: 6 Mowing 3: 4 Racking and carting •• 4: 6 Stacking 7 : 10 19 : 2 HAY. 9. d. MowiDgi raking and Stacking ,.•• 13 : 6 11 '»»'■; !i I J . iim HEMP. PER ACRE. Ploimhins: in the autumn and in the spring 15: 6 Seed H to 2 bushels per acre @ 12«. 24 : Harrowing before and after the seed 4 : Pulling, water-furrowing, drying fi ai:d bundling •;•••• 40: .^Extracting the seed 10 : JDressing 10 cwt. in five days, at I 2s. per cwt. each day 100 : : '^^'Wi':,..l:,.£d: 13:6 «i^i^ I^MiHi^M^M ■■■■ FLAX. S, Ploughing and harrowing twice 12 Seed 8 pecks, at a^ .V. 24 Weeding twice ^.^ 6 Pulling and retting 25 Spreading and gatheri?ig up • • • 4 Dressing 16 cwt., at 5«. 6(/« SS ESTIMi HUND Oney< Chaini Wagg Ploug A bori Three Twent Twent a Poultil Waggc Sleiglifl Harnes Plough Harrofi Chains fi 9 ESTIMATE OF STOCK REQUIRED FOR A FARM OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ACRES IN UPPER CANADA. One yoke of oxen ••• «.£i^* Chainfi, yokes, &c. •••••••• ^ Waggfon, harness, and sadtjie. ••••••, 26 Plough, harrow, a^es, and hoe^ •«•••• €f A horse ••.••.••••• • • 12 Three cows and three heifers •••••••• 2^ Twenty pigs and two sows •••••••••• 6 Twenty sheep , •••••• 5 Poultry ..•,••••.. 2 'V , ' '^^^'''-''''^/'^A '■•■ ' £100* • I'} COST OF FARMING IMPLEMENTS. Waggons from £15 „ to £20 each Sleighs i V . 10 Harness ' " g jq Ploughs "" 2 10«. ^\» Harrotr* S # Chains ;::J;,.A». ■;. -.ir.m; "^: 1..' 11^ ^1 i.« * r 1 "i h. ' •■f ^f 1 f - I-I'ip 100 ESTIMATE OF EXPBNCB OF PUTTING FORTY TO FIFTY ACRES OF LAND UNDER CULTIVATION. #.*.. f, .!■ ACRES. 3D Wheat, ploughing, seedy reaping and thrashing @ 38^ £57. 4 Indian corn, seed, planting, I, bawling, and thrashing @ 45f. 9 2 Oats, ploughing, seed, reaping, and stacking @ 20s 2 2 Peas, ploughing, seed, bawling, and thrashing @ 25s. •••••• 2 6 Grass, mowing, and stacking ^' @ \Ss.6d. ..;...•. 4 5 Clover, seed, mowing, raking, .,, , and stacking @ 20^. • • • 5 1 Garden ground ... • . VrV?; ; . ft Blacksmith, carpenter, and wheel- wright 10 V >• * « t, 1 <> I) « * « I I) C V o y.^ I « k • • « ' • « I « I V t) ' r V •^-•>, »^vVit, • , » » * • • • < « • • • * <. J • < 4 C t V • ♦ r. t « • » > • V.T-'S 5. £94* lOir. 1) O^bO 90 »C V J ■! * 3 if / < J / 101 ESTIMATE OF PRODrCB |^FROM FIFTY ACRES OF LAND, 30 acres of wheat, at 25 bushels, are 750 bushels @ 4^. « • • • £150 5 acres of clover, at 2 bushels, are 10 bushels & 32^ 16 8 acres of Indian corn, oats, and peas, used for live stock. • • • • • 20 barrels of pork, each 200 lbs. @ &is, per barrel* •••• 54 20 lambs @ 5«., and 20 fleeces @ 5«« each ••••••••• 10 Butter, cheese,' poultry^ and live stock 20 ";■' " ' "" V ^ »' W'- ■ £250 The cradle-scythe will cut three to (bur acres per day, and requires one man to bind to each cradle, and one boy to rake to each two cradles. k3 ,1 I i i " s > L^ 'H''^> i w^i ^cs i I ■ i 102 CURRENT PRICES OF PROVISIONS, GRAIN, &e. IN UPPER CANADA. Butchers' meat 3d. ® 3id. per tb. i Fowls and ducks Is. 6d, a couple ^ > Turkeys and geese Ss. @ 3s. 6a. each Butter 9d. per lb. — Cheese Qd. Tallow M. per lb. Flour 25^. per barrel of 196 lbs. ' ^^ ' Salt 15^. ,y of eight bushels Bricks 25«. @ 30«. per m. * - ^ Lime Is. @ l5. def. per bushel Deal Boards, 1 inch 3^. 1 " If „ 4«.6rf.> per 100 feet. 2 „ 55. 3 Hay 50*. per ton j" ^ Per bushel of 60 lbs. = • "' Wheat .... 4s. 6rf. — Rye 3*, Qd. Indian corn . 3^. Qd. — Buck wheat . .3*. Barley .... 3s. Oe/.— Oats • 1*. 6rf. Peas 3$. 0<;?.— Clover seed . .30«^ Potatoes . . 2s. Oc/.— Apples • . . • • .2*. 6rf. Firewood per cord of three loads, 6 feet long, 4 high, and 2 wide 12s. @ 15^. Carting sawing, and piling 4s. Qd. per load. let 103 STOCK. Horses from £20. to £40. the pair Oxen 10 15 „ Cows 4 6 each« Sheep lOs. 208. „ t - . FURNITURE WELL MA.OE OP NAriVB WOODS. Bedsteads, four-post. «••• • £2. each Ditto tent £1. 10s. Washing-stands ..••»«•• I2s. Dressing-tables £1. @ £1. 10«. ^ Chests of drawers £3. @ £4. Walnut chairs .•••.••&•• 55, Hair-bottom chairs .••••• 355. ^ Dining tables . . • » £5. @ £7. Single stoves. •••••#••••• £3. Large ditto £6. Double ditto, with ovens. • £10. @ £12. Made at the iron works of Trois Rivieres. ■ . ■ ^ I ■ '; • ■ ' s !'• 'ti . i IfTTfTPipil 104 WAGES. I ■ s Common labourers 3^* 9d. per day without board y or 2^. 9d. with ; or from 60ff, to 65ir. per month, with board, and in harr Test time Gs.Sd. a day. Carpenters 5«. a day, and blacksmiths 85s. a month. Female servants I8s. to 20;. a month, with board. ^ u • » ■Vf: One hundred acres of land measure about a quarter of a mile in breadth, and five« eights in length. Six hundred and forty acres make one sqiiiemile. , / I i '|fflij < • % « • •■»•«.« - ... yiV*: w 105 DESCRIPTION OF THE HURON DISTRICT, AND NO- TICE RESPECTING THE TOWN OF OODERICH. The surface of tbis tract of land is remark- ably flat, altbougb generally from 150 to SOO feet above the level of the waters of Lake Huron. The soil consists of a deep rich; black loam, with a subsoil of clay, mixed with sand, and which, in point of facility of cultivation and fertility, is not exceeded by any in Upper Canada, r^atural meadows, furnishing excellent pasture, are frequently met with. The forests are com<* posed of valuable and useful timber, the predominnat species of which are maple, beech, elm, and basswood, and the trees are so disposed as to considerably diminish the expense of clearing. The soil is well watered by numerous ri^' viilets and brooks, as well as by the Rivers Maitlandy Thames, Ouse, and Nitb, which m^^ \ V h \in • 106 are partially navigable, and all useful for tnacbinery : fresh springs abound througli« out the tract, and salt springs are frequently met with. The town of Goderich is laid out in the borders of Lake. Huron, at the mouth of the River Maitland, in lat 43^ 46' north. Its harbour is formed by the River Maitland, and is perfectly well sheltered ; it is capable of receiving vessels of 150 tons burthen: produce may now bo conveyed from Gode- rich to Montreal and Quebec, through Lake St. Clair« Erie, and Ontario. The whole dis- tance from Goderich to Montreal by water, through these lakes, is about 850 miles. A road has been lately opened to join the Tal- bot road north, and another eastward, through Wilmot and Guelph, to Burlington, at the bead of Lake Ontario, a distance of about 110 miles. Burlington is about 390 miles by water to Montreal and 570 to Quebec. The River Maitland, as well as Lake Huron, #=. 107 abound in e.icellent fisli, particularly stur- geon : the waters of this lake are beautifully transparent, and have a favourable influence on the atmosphere. T^ When the Huron tract becomes more peopled, the town of Goderich roust acquire a considerable degree of commercial import- ance, owing to the uninterrupted water com- munication with Montreal, and its conve- nient position for intercourse with Sagannaw Bay, in the Michigan territory, and laying nearly opposite to Goderich, which town is fast settling. Schooners sail weekly from Detroit to Goderich. V The town of Goderich is ^eli pinuned, and likely to prove healthy, being situated on an elevation above the shores of the Lake Huron; the climate is also much milder here than on the shores of Lake Ontario. Winter usually sets in about Christmas^ and lasts until the middle of March, the snow remain- ing on the ground for six or seven weeks, rii -ii rU i ■I \ . 108 I ■ P^ Q. _ ^ g s s = S;J Is S^ s 5 |S ^ , u ,— ::: 0^ o a »— 00 0^ cs ^1 en c S S o s 3 pj 9 g^"< S^<5 .2 .Si O ► u Oii5r?a2Hp:?pqp:5S 116 1^ SKETCH OF DISTANCES BY WATER FROM CODE- RICH TO MONTREAL, &C. * " Miles. From Goderich to the entrance of the River St. Clair about. ..4 90 Thence to Sandwich, on Lake St. Clair 84 „ Ainherstberg, at the entrance ^ of Lake Erie 20 II the entrance of the Welland " * Canal ..••••••« 240 „ to Niagara, at the entrance of . Lake Ontario ..••• 40 ,i across Lake Ontario to York 36 I, York to Kingston c 170 II Kingston to Prescott ..•«.• 63 ,1 Prescott to Montreal ....•• 127 II Montreal to Quebec • • • 180 II Quebec to the mouth of the St. Lawrence 360 mmmm•mmm^ About 1400 n. Jr; I ;i:l-. 116 1^ fl STIAM BOATS. » Dist. Time. I^ares. Milet. Hours, s. d. s, Quebec to Montreal ISO 30 10 0@80 Montreal to Quebec 180 24 7 6 25 Montreal to Prescott 127 48 12 36 Prescott to Kino^ston 63 — 5 15 Kingston to York.. 170 — 13 6 40 York to Niagara . . 36 4 4 6 10 USUAL CHARGES AT INNS IN TRAVELLING, Breakfast., 1 6 Dinner ,.., 2 Tea « I 3 Bed 9 5 6 117 'V. 25 36 15 40 10 I STATE OF TRADE AT QUEBEC AND < MONTREAL IN 1832. « C i . . . EXPORT ARTICLES. Ashes. — This article has been in steady de- niT^nd, although theEnglish markets have been dull, owing to the large stocks remaining on hand from 1831. The heavy supplies which arrived at Montreal in the autumn, caused a decline in prices of 3.*?. to 4"*. per cwt., but they rose again about the close of the season, from the prospect of a little better from England, and finally closed at 285. for pots, and 29^. for pearls; upon the whole, the exports have been fully equal to the produce. The soda, now used as a sub» stitute for ashes in England, and which costs iiii' 118 only about 20^. per ijwf, interferes with asbes of ordinary quality, and tends to keep prices down. The Quebec brand is getting into better favour, and now ranks nearly equal to the Montreal, Asbes made by the new process, although looking welf, want strengUi, and seldom pass above seconds or thirds. American ashes are admitted to entry into Canada upon payment of a duty of 2| per cent.^ equal to U. currency per barrel, and may be exported to Great Britain as Cana- dian ashes. I , ^^ The exports for the last three years were as follows: 1830. 1831* 1832. Potash 31,700 brls. 30,300 bris. 24,960 brls. Pearls. 15,800 20,400 14,000 , 47,500 50,700 38,960 i-ii> v'.'S* 119 eres with Is to keep is getting is nearly Je by the elt, want leconds or entry into of 2§ per arrel, and i as Cana- ^ears were 832. 1,960 brls. 1,000 , ;,960 sS Xumher of Barrels of Canadian ^she9 importpd and consumed in London in IMPORTED. Pots. Pearls. 1829—3800 5300 1830-6000 7000 1831—4400 5500 CONSUMED. Pots. Pearls. 4900 6600 4100 5900 3800 3500 14,200 17,800 12,800 ?6,000 Stocks on hand at Liverpool^ Deceniher 31. 1830-8200 brls. Pots 2()()0 brls. Pearls. J83 1—8000 „ 5000 99 l» 'ihHi^ Flour.' — The exports of Canada flour to England have been sufficiently exten^iive to create a good demand for that of the United States, both for home consumption as well as for export to the West Indies. Tlie stock of f flour in hand at the ch)se of the season was small, and superfine ^commanded about J'i! " ! :' f i 1 1 J i i', . s li i i, r i' 1 m \< tfl \-'i ii-l ^1 ■ ;'■■ if! i, 'M m1' 1 ii ; f ^-9 i!:':; -i ■' i ■ 1 120 32^. 6(f. per barrel. Flour is admitted into Canada from the United States free of duty, either for home consumption or export to the West Indies, but can only be sent to England as foreign flour. Owing to too great an exposure to the heat and rain, much of the Canadian flour becomes sour by the month of July ; greater attention is also required in leaving the flour to cool before it is packed, and removing all impurities. The barrels should be made of the best seasoned white oak staves, and the heads fastened on with hoops, the hoops round the barrels being properly nailed. The exports of flour from Canada in 1830 amounted to 50,000 barrels, and in 1831 to 81,600 barrels; of which latter 59,000 were Canadian, and 22,600 American pro- duce; and of these, 55,000 were sent to Great Britain, 8,600 to the West Indies, and the remainder to Nova Scotia, New Bruns- wick, &c. i into duty, to the igland to the flour reater 3 flour loving I made 9, and s, the Dperly I 1830 1831 )9,000 II pro- ent to IS, and Jruns- 121 The exports of flour from the United States of America to Great Britain and her colonies, from the years 1821 to 1831, inclusive, amounted to upwards of seven millions of barrels, viz: British Years. North West Great Totals. America. Indies. Britain. Barrels. il ' ( 1821 131,033 1822 89,840 1823 29,681 1824 39,191 1825 30,780 1826 72,904 1827 107,420 1828 86,680 1829 91,088 1830 149,.966 1831 150,645 551,396 406,849 442,488 425,359 429,760 433,094 362,674 370,371 248,236 281,256 371,876 94,541 12,096 4,252 70,873 27,272 18,357 58,129 23,258 221,176 326,182 879,439 776,970 508,785 476,421 534,423 487,812 524,355 523,223 480,309 560,500 757,404 1,401,960 . 979,228 4,322,359 1,730,575 7,032,162 Indian Corn Meal. — This is generally kiln dried, and packed in hogsheads of M i ■I } - »■ II i;>: i I i 1 122 800 lbs. each; the hogsheads should be made from white oak, clear of the sap, suitable to serve afterwards as rum puncheons. Whea packed in barrels as flour, they ought to weigh l()81bs. each. Indian corn meal sells at about 22^. 6^/. per barrel. Wheat. — The duty in England on Canada wheat being only 5s. per quarter, it has found a ready market for export, and prices are likely to be maintained. Very little new wheat had reached Quebec before the close of the season, but it was expected there would be from 600,000 to 600,000 quarters ready for shipment in the spring. The closing price for Lower Canada spring wheat, was 5*. 9d, per minot of 66 lbs. Upper Canada good white winter wheat, 6s* 6c/., and the red 6s. per bushel of 60 lbs. American wheat is admitted into Canada free ofduty, and when manufactured into flour, may be shipped to England as Canadian pro- duce, which is likely to give a great stimulus 123 to (be mills and shipping interests of Ca- nada. • , The exportation of wheat in 1831 amounted to 1,300,000 bushels, being an increase of nearly one million of bushels over that of 1830. Flax Seed.— This article had advanced to 6s, per minot of ()6lbs., and considerable sales were made at that price. A duty of 15 per cent, is imposed on all flax seed com- ing from the United States. Salt Provisions. — The demand for pork has been steady, and stock small : large sup- plies were however expected to arrive from the Ohio in the spring; provisions from the Uuited States being admitted duty free. Beef on the other hand has been dull of sale, and the export appears to be on the decline; the admission of beef from the United States, operating against the demand of the Cana- dians, the latter not being able to compete in price with the former. The exports in 1830, wore beef 3400, ij :i A ■■■ I iiiilfi h 124 pork 8700 barrels; in 1831, beef 4600, pork 8600 barrels. , Mess pork consists of the thickest pieces of the fattest and largest hogs; the flank and inferior parts being excluded : 200 pieces of 4 lbs. to 6 lbs. are packed in each barrel. Prime mess admits two half heads cut off near the eyes, two legs cut off near the joints, two shoulders, and the residue to Aiake 200 lbs. of good side pieces. uu Prime pork consists of three half heads, three legs, and three shoulders, with good side pieces to make up 200 lbs. • .>*t Cargo pork consists of three or four half heads, legs, and shoulders, with side pieces to make up 200 lbs. The barrels should be made of ihe best seasoned white oak staves, to concai^i thirty gallons each, fully hooped with walnut hoops, and well made, so as not to lose the pickle. Lumber. — The season commenced in April and closed in November; but the bad wea- 125 (ber, easterly winds, and prevalence of cho« lera operated against this trade. When the frost lasts well into April, there is seldom any want of water in the streams, and the raftsmen are then enabled to reach Quebec by thp middle of May. The prices realised in the spring, were moderate for good rafts of new timber, but inferior qualities are re- jected by the merchants as they will not suit the English markets. In order to compete with Baltic timber, it ought to be clean dressed, free from faults, and well squared. Deals should be clean, free from blemish, cut with precision, equal from end to end, and plump in the measure. The gross amount of lumber exported in 1832, has been equal to that of the preceding year; but excepting staves, the stock re- maining on hand is smaller. Oak. — The quality of Canadian oak has improved both in lengths and sizes. Lake Ontario oak, which is the largest, sold at the opening for 1^. id. to Iff. 9rf. per foot. The m3 m,:n It' iP I! !' . , «fa 'M I'. i ' if I MM! Hi Ml 'i ! i; .1 ;" '' .; 126' '• • ■ < , , Ottawa and Rideau rivers is the longest, and fetched l^. Id. to l^, 6d. That coming from the Bay of Quint^ is inferior, and only fetched 9rf. to Is. Elm. — The quality has not improred, prices varying from 6d. to 9c?. ' Ash and Birch. — The demand and prices of these woods has been reduced owing to the inferiority of that brought to market; the best of the timber is chopped o^ in dressing of it : the heart not being so good &s the part near the sap. White ash and red birch always command fair prices, the former from M, to 5c/., and the latter from 6d. to 9d. per foot. Red Pine. — The demand for this timber increases : the price ruled from 8d» to 9d. per foot on the raft. White Pine. — The supply has proved greater than the demand. The mode of cutting up trees into greater lengths and ^dressing them as near the proud edge as can be is considered injurious: a back or 127 ■•, waive ought to be left in proportion PerM* Standard staves assorted • • 30 to 32 West India white oak .... 10 10 10 red oak 7 8 barrel........ 5 10 6 , 1 iv Exports in 1831. Oak 1 9,000 pieces. Elm 9,000 Birch 1,500 ' Ked and white pine. . . . • • 158,000 Deals 1,500,000 Staves 5,500,000 Furs. — Fine peltry consists of beaver otter, martin, and wild cat skins. Mixed peltry, are a mixture of the above, with a larger quantity of wolves, foxes, deer, bears, and bufFaloe skins. Beaver skins, exclusive of the tail, usually weigh about 2 lbs. each. All the finest furs come from the north-west. illili! 129 fn >'i IMPORT ARTICLES. English g^oods were plenty and cheap in 18.32, the supply having* been greater than the demand; inerchants and consumers had therefore an opportunity of making their pur hi ^s on favourable terms. Cotton Goods. — The early importations far exceeded those of any other year; and until the breaking out of the Cholera, very large sales were made at remunerating prices. A heavy stock of coarse cottons remained on hand aC the close of the season. Woollens.— The market was nearly cleared of r .i^ se woollens- ex .epting cloths, and of whi: > Irmvy stock remained. StufTs went off at fair prices, and the stock was light. Linens. — The importation of coarse linen was less in 1832 than in the previous year, and the olJ stocks being nearly all sold off, there is hkuy to be a good demand for Os- .V •^- '(■"'^•i^'^ m i i ;i J 180 ' it 1 m i ■' 11 . }l.v t! 1 !' i naburghs, canvas, and sheetings of fair qua- lities. The prices of Irish linens have been steady, and the importations not more than equal to the demand. Boots and Shoes, — Owing to the cheap- ness of leather, ar.d the ^nmber of shoemakers settled in all parts of C^, :a, these articles are made as cheap as they can be imported. I Hats. — The large stock on hand at the close of 1831 has been considerably di- minished, and is likely to be exhausted be- fore the spring. Salt. — The imports have been considera- bly less than in 1831, and the prices higher in consequence. Above 300,000 bushels, of 56 lbs. each, were imported from Liverpool in 1831, and 60,000 barrels entered by Lake Erie from the United States. The dutv on foreign salt is about to be reduced. Bay salt is preferred to the British for curing fish, as it is milder and finer. The Dutch are in the habit of evaporating the brine made from a solution of Bay salt over a geu- g€U- / 131 tie fire, and mixing with it a proper quantity of sour whey, which unites with the uncom- bined fixed alkali, and prevents its adhering to the salt as it crystalises; this is supposed to improve the quality of the salt, and gives that superiority to their mode of curing her- ings. Fish. — A bounty having been ofTered by the States of New B/unswick and Nova Sco- tia, on the exportation of fish, a great part of the fish which used to be sent to the Quebec and Montreal markets, now finds its way elsewhere, so that the supply of late has be- come very scanty, at the same time^that the demand for salmon and pickled herrings has been increasing. Fishing on Shares. — The owners always provide the vessel, salt, and provisions, the men finding the lines and giving their labour —the produce is generally divided equally on the return of the vessel ; sometimes, how- ever, the crew have five-eiohts and the owner only three-eights; the men are further more I \ii '''. r. II :'« 132 Qtlowed for tlieir time in curing and drying the fish on shore. The fishing season usually commences about the first week in May, and ends in November, Making up a cargo ge« nerally occupies three months : herrings are most in season from May to September, and mackerel from June lo October. Herrinsrs are packed in boxes containing about 200 ^ fish in each. A barrel offish ought to be of the capacity of thirty-two gallons. Shell fish are said to be poisonous in the gulph of St. Lawrence in the month of Au- gust. ! Coals. — In consequence of the number of steam-vessels plying on the River St. Law- rence and the lake, a very great increase has taken place in the consumption of coals in preference to wood. Larch is the wood mostly used as fuel in steam- vessels, as it burns briskly, and affords a strong heat. A steam vessel of sixty to eighty horse power will consume on an average' two cords of firewood per hour, worth 20^. to 22s. per Irying sually yr, and 2^8 are *, and rrings U200 be of in the )fAu- t •■ iber of , Law- ise has oals in wood , as it It. A power irds of Is. per 133 cord. A cord of wood occupies 128 cubic feet, whereas a chaldron of coals do^not oc« cupy more space than 40 feet. Upwards of 7000 chaldrons of coals more were imported in 1882 than in 1831 ; coals are therefore likely to form a very considerable article in Canadian imports ; their use is also becom- ing more general in families. Pictoa coals, similar to the Scotch, sell for25«. a chaldron Cape Breton ditto ,; Newcastle „ 35s, „ The duty at the pit mouth is bs, a chaldron. EXCHANGES. London, private bills, 60{dy3^8ight, 8 to 9^ per'cent. prm. „ banks Commissariat New York // // Sovereigns // ^ 30 8 60 24«. each. // n n 10 4$. 0}^ 6 )~ 6 3 i-5 \h 5i '— 8 >— 3 135 correncj. FURS and PELTRIES «. d. s. d. Beaver G. R. prime, per lb 15 Dilto fall g 7 6-10 0- Otter, prime each ^0 0—22 6 Man in, Canada „ 3 4—3 9 Muskrattfall ^ ♦ .... 5 — 7 spring „ 9—13 Mink, prime g ,.... I — 1 6 Fox, Red ^ 3 1—3 6 Fisher „ 7 6 Seal , ^ g . * "S 0— 3 6 Bear « ... 40 0—45 Elk g 10 0—12 Buffalo H 18 0-20 Deer ^ ...."",,., b 0-- b Q Wolverine ^ 4 6—5 Wolf „ 7 0—76 Cat t 6 0—70 Raccoon ^ 19—20 New vesaeli, with tpart and mastSi cost from ^S. to £8. iOs, per ton. ;i ■^ il-ir.vfj__ 11^ |!i!l'l'!tl liliilii i! ! ) I i it " I I i 1 J, I 111 n: !• ■ , ■;' I ! !, i:l iiiijiji 1^ !l! jsSjvi *;ud3 Jdd 8 'gonial aaj > u CO 00 p o .-•ft •oco M «o bo 9 •<1 CO OB u ft* •d© rQ © •do «' CO (N -d© I* ^ o> 00 © s (-« o •.'^ CO FH o I-* »c «« PH • -d© oo o 0) CI ^ «/5 c J^ c;^ «5«o CO ^ c« « »c ^ © CO 0> © CO OO CO Oi C4 O n Oi CO 00 o oo 00 o CI © CO c« © CO o CO »o © 00 c» o 00 CO 00 CO © Oi o> 00 Oi © © rr r- ^ —^ ^ «o CO «o «« r^ © l-t © © ^ ^ ;=: Oi < O O H -«{ O ffl- CO o o »* ^ 00 Oi Oi Ci © 1-4 «H 00 t* <« Eh CX2 137 IMPORTS. SUGAR, brown, per cwt. .^- .S3 refined, per lb MOLASSES per gallon .. 2 COFFEE per lb 1 TEA, black „ 3 green „ 4 RUM, Jamaica, per gallon.... 3 Leewards ^ ••••2 BRANDT ^ .... 6 HOLLANDS « .... 5 SOAP per lb CANDLES » ... VINEGAR, English, per gallon 1 SALT, Liverpool, per bushel. . 1 St. Ubes I, .. 1 COALS, Newcastle, prchaldn. 30 Liverpool // IRON, English Sweedish Russian GLASS BOTTLES, per gross 25 per cwt. .. 9 „ ..25 d, 9» 0..37 6.. 8.. 2 0.. 1 6.. 4 4. 3 10.. 8 0.. 7 0.. 5 4i 84 6 6.. 1 8 0..32 0..32 Import Dutyj d. $, d, 0—4 8 cwt. 7-9 0. 9 1-0 2 lb. 10 6—1 Ogal 0—1 g 6-1 7 ^ 6-a 7 if [minot 8..0 4 per u 6 6 All goods coming from England, not other wise end- nerated, pay a duty of 2^ per cent, ad valorem. : Ml II' ! ; J 138 CUSTOMS OF THE TRADE, Credits. — In Montreal and Quebec pot and pearlash are sold for cash; all other articles of export and import are sold on. credit, at ninety days or more. Commissions. percent. On sales of goods from Europe. . . •• . 6 I „ Canadian produce 2 On purchases for Europe • 5 „ Canada 2f For guaranteeing sales •••••• 2 Interest of money 6 per cent, per ann. Damages in bills returned from - ><^' Europe • • 10 per cent. New York •...,..• 4 ■ '_.■■. ' '■ .'til- ■■■ " CHARGES. ,1, Cartage. — Provisions and ashes 2d, per bri. „ Flour l|e/. per barrel, ^ Wheat 6d. per 20 bushels. 139 5 2 5 2 Coopering. — Ashes 1.?., provisions 6rf., and flour, lid, per barrel. N. B. Asbes, salt provisions, and flour, are subjected to inspection. Wheat. Turning in store, 6d. per 100 bushels. I Screening for shipment, ^d, per bushel. Cribbling ditto, |ef. per bushel. Rent. Whea* Id. per bushel the flrst month, and f d 3 succeeding ones. Ashes li., salt provisions 6d,, and flour)-«3c/« per barrel per month. FREIGHTS. , ; * [Quebec and Montreal r to England.-— 8. d. s. d. Timber 40 @ 44 per ton. Deals . . 6 10 7 „ Ashes.. 37 6 40 „ Flour.. 5 5 6 per barrel. Wheat.. 1 2 1 6 per busheK IF- !■ ft l.jil !l 'I* 1! ;;f4 t ■ ■ I ;t 1 : ! ,i1 \m I I! IHlllil I 140 From the West Indies, 285. per hogshead , and 405. per puncheon. From Montreal to Quebec. — weight 7^. 6c/.e and measurement 10.^ per ton. Flour 9d^^ salt provisions and ashes 1^. pr bri. Wheat 3a^ per bushel. From the head of Lake Ontario to Montreal. wishes 35 per ton. Beef and Pork. . 6 per barrel. Flour 4 3 per barrel. PREMIUMS OF INSURANCE From Montreal to the head of Lake Ontario, 2j per cent, on merchandise. From Lake Ontario to Montreal, on ashes, flour and wheat in bags, 2| percent. on wheat in bulk Si per cent. Premiums usually rise 1 per cent, after the 25th of October^ 141 4 sliead, ler ton. pr bri. mtreal. arreK arrel. Ontario, Tcenf. . after SHIPPING AT QUEBEC AND MONTREAL IN l83l. "Vessels. Tons. Men. Arrived from Grt at Britain.. 802 205,000 10,500 British N. A... 146 15,000 800 West Indies. .. . 57 8,000 450 , 1,005 228,600 H,760 Sailed for Great Britain 920 258 ,200 1 1,000 British N. America 125 9,800 560 West liidies 54 7,000 400 . ^ ' 1,099 2?5,00n 11,960 " ImpoHSy Quebec and Montreal < 1831. 183S. Win?a £ 70,000 currency £ 53,000 Spirits 249,000 220,000 Sugaro 35,000 126,000 Molasses 12,500 . . 10,000 Tea and coffee ... 87,000 ' 8^,000 Tobacco 2,500 6,000 Salt 24,000 13,000 ' £480,090 £513,000 Brit, manufacture 1,320,000 1,343,000 . ^/;.- £1,800,000 , ,. ^1,856,000 m. I _j_i( H ! Pi i I II'! Ml ■::l!l ,4 lllllli S ' I 1 'I V ! it p Exports, Quebec and Montreal, 1831. 1833. Lumber ^380,000 cur^. ig'373,000 curr. Ashes 804,000 274,000 FJour 140,000' ^ .«« «^ Wheat 440,000 ]''^/^ Provisioni 37,000 49,000 Furs 86,000 86,000 Yesseli ^. 306,000 325,000 j^l,693,000 j^l,699,000 I , ■ ■. Montreal. ^ ■■ ,■ . ■'■:.' ' • • • Burthen ^ YeiMlli. Tons. Duties paid. In 1831 there arrived.. 81 . 19,000.. jg>SO,000 cur,. 18SS * . 117- 27,700.. 59,000 TAX£8. ^•' • ' All rateable property, such as houses, barns, mills, horses, and live stock, pay one penny in^the pound, ad valorem. Cnltivated lands pay one penny, and vtraste land one farthing, per acre ; road tax about 13«. 6^. each farm; or not less than,|hree, nor more than twelve days' labour Mid assessment. :/ » 143 Valuation of Property in Upper Canadaf upon which a Tax of one penny in the pound is levied* Log houses, one storv ji?20 to £i& Ditto, two stories .1 ., 30 40 * Frame house, one story 35 40 Brick ditto, one story 40 50 Brick ditto, two stories 60 70 Grist mills, one pair of stones .• 150 / Ditto, two pairs 200 * / Sawmills 100 > Store house 200 Horses 3 ye&rs old and upwards 8 Horned cattle 2 to 4 years old . . 1 Ditto do. 4 years old and upwards 4 Milch cows 3 ^ Cultivated lands 20s. per acre. Uncultivated ditto 4«. g Public Revenues of Upper Canada in 1832. Regbipts —Sales.and rentals of estates £26,000 Tolls 6n public works 6,500 Duties on imports, &c.. 47,5()0 EXPENDITURB. jg'SOjOOO Interest on Public Debt (^235,000) ^^8,500 Salaries 7,009 Civillist 8,500 Pensio ns, schools, &c...e «• 14,000 -^ 38,000 ' $urpluft .... ^42,000 •. ... :•' » % 1: 141 ;r '} m EMIGRANTS. Thv? number of emigrants arrived at Que- bec in 1827 was 16,800 V 1828 13,700 u 1829 13,300 1830 24,400 i ' ,. -rti'r 1831 49,000 1832 50,000 1 Total 167,200 * .^s Hllli The number of emigrants settled in Lower Canada, from the year 1825 to 1832, has been 31,000. :'<'*. ■ SALES OP LAND BY THE CANADA COMPANY. From 1825 to 1828 67,000 acres. 1829 33,000 ' 1830 51,000 1831 98,000 1832 114,090 Total 363,000 i , ni| 1 )i Que- •< •» .-. .-.I \ Lower > has .'t,*- ■■ ?ANY. } acres. ) ) m % 145 CURRENCY AND BANKING. Remarks on the expediency of issuing a Local Silver and Copper Coinage, for the general use of the British Provinces in North America, The British Provinces of North America have not at present any metallic currency of their own, and the mixed circulating me- dium which does exist, is both deteriorated in its quality, and insufficient in quanUty, as well as rated too high, so that the value of property in general may be said to be repre- sented by the local bank notes. Complaints respecting the difficulty of obtaining copper and silver coin for the common purposes of circulation are daily becoming more general; and the subject therefore requires the serious attention of the legislature. The banks, it is truCp in some measure meet this incouve« nience by the issue of their small notes, but this remedy is l dangerous one, as no paper, however substantial the credit upon which it is issued, can ever represent the exact value o 146 of coin ; and, indeed, the increased circula- tion of small notes only proves the want of the specie they are intended to represent; it is therefore the more indispensable there should be some effective check against the danger that must result from an over issue of small notes, and which will probably keep pace with the increase of trade, and thus give the banks an undue influence over every transaction of importance in the colonies. '^ Banks were first established in the United States in order to assist the new settlers in clearing their lands, and represented by common consent the joint properly of the community which supported them: but as the notes of these village banks were seldom circulated beyond their own immediate neigh- bourhoods, it prevented any of them from becoming dangerous by an over issue of paper; nevertheless, it cannot be denied, that by giving too great an encourage- ment to every description of enterprise, they have been the means of introducing an im- prudent spirit of speculation into the coun- ffi rcula- ant of •esent ; there ist the issue ^ keep IS give every 68. '^"■■ \J lilted lers in ed by of the but as eldom iieigh- » from sue of lenied, jrage- , they in ini- coun- u try. Admitting, however, the necessity and utility of banks in general, under pro|ier re- strictions, a metallic currency is not less required, as being the only true foundation of all credit; and it would be a matter of wise precaution to have something real, where so much is likely to become nominal. Prudence may restrain the banks for a time from venturing upon a larger issue of notes than they can conveniently redeem, altbough any obligation to pay their notes in cash is almost rendered nugatory from the general want of specie; so that the real capital of the banks may be said to be employed in their own speculations, whilst the public are trading with their paper. So long as the banks have the privilege of issuing small notes, silver coin will be more or less excluded from circulation; for as both specie and bills pass current at the same rates for the common purposes of life the least valuable of the two will alone remain in circulation ; and whenever any sudden de- 11 h r iiiii iiilii IN IP ii !ili 148 niand for specie arises, the banks, having the largest supply at command, will have the power of regulating its value accordingly. The transactions of the British govern- ment in the colonies being all payable in coin, the exchange is generally one or more per cent, against them; and as their local drafts bear a premium in respect to bank notes, they have an indirect tendency to increase the issues of the latter, and with« draw specie from circulation, although granted for the very purpose of promoting Its free issue. The commissariat bills are drawn at 30 days' sight, at the rate of 48|(/. more or less, per dollar, and bear a premium of 11 to 12 per cent. No coins are received into the military chest excepting dollars, half-dollars, English shillings and sove- reigns. By an order from the Commissariat Office at Quebec, notice has been given, that from and after the 80th of November, 183*2, British silver coin could only be received at the fluctuating exchange of other specie^ . 149 ig the ^e the vern- ^le in more local bank cy to with- louo^b loting Is are mium leived hilars, sove- ^ariat I, that 1832, ed at )ecie The amount of specie belonjinw to the British Government at their diflPerent posts in Ca- nada, according to a late return, did not exceed jB200,()00. sterling, the principal part of which was in dollars. The total amount of specie and bullion in the banks at Quebec and Montreal were as follow: Dec. 31, 1831. Dec 31, 1832. Quebec Bank about £15,000 curx ^14,000 cur^ Montreal ditto . . 112,000 „ •... 77,500 „ Banks have also been established at York and Kingston* Another disadvantage under which the colonies labour, from the absence of a circu- lating medium, is that of becoming, more or less, dependent on the United States for their supplies of specie necessary for the common purposes of barter. The chief part of the bills on England have latterly been sent from Canada to New York to be negociated, either for returns in American dollars and half-dollars, or in payment of American pro- duce previously received, thereby subject-f ing the colonial exchanges to be ruled by a o3 I 150 I ' foreign rate. Bills on New York at 3 days' sight, bear a premium of 1^ to |2 per cent. A local coinage would, however, afford the means for the colonies to become independ- ent of their neighbours in the above respects. The present sterling rate of the dollar in the colonies, and upon which the exchanges are calculated, is 4^. 6(/., but they only pass current for 4«.4(/. in commercial transactions, and are in reality not worth more than As.^d,, they therefore appear rated too high, as com- pared with the real value of silver ; and un- less a truer standard be assigned to the dol- lar, British gold and silver coin can never compete with them in circulation ; indeed, English silver coins are very seldom to be seen in private hands, as they of course make a bettor remittance to England, where they fetch their sterling value, whereas dollars would lose 4j per cent, if sent abroad. Pri- vate bills, at 60 days' sight, on London last year, bore a premium of from 8 to 9 per cent* and those of the banks 10 per cent. 151 J days* T cenf. )rd the epeud- spects. 3llar in hanges \y pass ictionsy s com- id un- le dol- never ndeed, to be make e they lollars Pri- )n last r cent. V If British coin of the realm were intro- duced as the only circulatinor medium in« stead of local tokens, the greater part would probably find its way, as it has hitherto done, either back to England as the prefer- able remittance, or be hoarded up by the banks against the issue of their small notes, and would therefore become an advantage to the latter, by enabling them to extend their issues, whilst it would prove a detriment to the public at large, by enhancing the no» minal value of things in general : in order, therefore, to keep any description of coin in circulation, it would be necessary to prohibit the issue of small notes ; and it would fur« ther be requisite to exclude dollars, and other foreign money from being legal ten- ders; for if more than one description of coin were allowed to pass as a circulating medium, the worst would remain in the Pro- vinces, whilst the other would be hoarded up or find its way abroad : a proper local iipiiiiii; iiiliilP . i I 152 coinnjro would of itself be the best meaiis for excluding foreip^ii coin. Bank notes circulate very little beyoiid the towns in Lower Canada, for such is the aversion of the country people to every description of paper security, that whenever notes come into their hands, they invariably take thern to the banks to he exchanged for specie. The Catholic clergy will not allow the Canarjians to receive interest ot^ their mouey, and the latter therefore prefer hoarding it up to the risk of lending it for nothing; but if a bank were established un- der the authority of the Government, it would af all events afTord them a place of safe eposit. Money is so scarce in Upper Canada, tha^ most of the farmers are obliged to pay their labourers with grain of some kind or other, and those who receive it, must in turn barter \\ away at a loss, for whatever they may re- quire; thus wages become in a great measure :l :i: liil 153 -m IIS for 'voiul nominal: uhliough greatly out of proportion to the necessaries of life. A person, therefore, possessing ready cash at his command, can get his work done at a lower rate; and, in making purchases, may always obtain a large discount from the seller. Produce for cash paymciits is oftentimes sold at from 20 to 25 per cent, under the market value; the farmer can, however seldom obtain .cash for more than one-fourth part of the amount of his produce, being generally obliged to admit payment of ^be remainder in goods: the re- tail prices of most goods are on an average more than double their original cost in Eng- land, particularly wearing-apparel. If; is estimated that every man, woman, and child in Canada, uses on an average every year, to the value of £5. sterling of British manufactures. . Owing to this scarcity of specie, few per- sons have even sufficient ready money at command, to pay their taxes rhen called for, trifling as they are ; and farmers are in ■X i II i ill m iptilii W0^ il p: i 164 ', coriNi^qiif^nrf^ TrrqiifMitly uhli^ml lo piirt with prudiU'D coiiMiy receiving; cash instead of produce, and uIno have hit property more under hiH> own con- troK Li«ttly, the ^'ont.>ral effect of ontabliMh- ing a lociil currency, would be to ^ive in- creased security and aciivity to ajfriculti|ral as well AN couinicrcial operations; and, at the anine time, tend to keep down the rate of iiitereM on money, and reduce the preniiuui on bills. »>:■> >.,'» H Hi' I6r> irt witli IIX Ij*!!. oin tlia iilnyf by I'll Cdll- tnbiiiili- ive ill- ultiiral iimI, at nite of 'tfiiiiuia » ( v • ' ' • ilUUIlKNtJY. Tlio lo((iMlnt(iro of Caimdii liavo tlio pow^r of fixing i\w c!iirrf!i)t ralo nt i^'liicli coin ntinll bu a legal ((Mider, but are rwirmnml from giving it a iioiiiiiial Ktturliiig valuf}. A bill was iiitro(liin*' ':■"'/■■ '■•v>"V,- *■ ■ • 1 » d. English crown 5 10 cy. ■■- '■■■) '''i{4 shilling ••••I 1 » ■ ' ■' . ."'**>■ sixpence. ,..0 7 » grs. Spanish milled dollar. 5 19 weigh. 415 American dollar • • • • 5 99 )9 9* French crown 5 6 >» " ^ half crown . . 2 6 ''i V v,.''\y>- ■■' Pistareen, or shilling. . 10 »» ? •mostly defaced Half ditto, or sixpence 5 !>'' 1 ^:^'.:H'y COPPER. \Old. of British coppers are equal to one shilling currency. Canada pound currency equal to four dollars, or 18^. sterling. Spanish and American dollars and half- dollars, French crowns and gold coins are legal tenders to any amount ; but smaller denominations of silver money, are only a 167 'm\ >- •, .,> . ■ y ■">!<% grs. »h. 415 99 450 -•■ . .'*,■■>■ y defaced to one dollars, 1 half- ins are mailer only a legal tender to the amount of £10.; not more however than the value of one dollar need be taken in pistareens and half-pis- tareens. British silver coiqs are considered onlv as tokens, and pass current without reference to their intrinsic value; by law they are only a legal tender to the amount of 405., but as they represent a sterling value, they become, in fact, a sufficient tender. British copper coins are a legal tender to the amount of Is, currency. According to the same act, no note under the nominal valueof five dollars, is allowed to be issued by any person, or by any bank, not incorporated by law, under a penalty of for- feiting the nominal value of such note. From the foregoing observations it appears expedient: — 1. That sterling money should be esta- lished as the money of account, and exclu« sively recognizable in courts of law. p ),nr .t\ w '' mi jM f !! m"i\ > ii hi i .,, ,.i 168 2. That a local coinage should be issued to represent sterliiipnni9h itead of all old named id after sary in age, as supply Id beef lint rate ssing ill ^ values be coins us, two sliillings and sixpence, or lialf-cro^'iis, sbilling, sixpenny, and threepenny pieces, under the denomination of ** British North American Colonial Tokens," expresHing the nominal sterling value they are meant to pasn for, with the impress of the ** King of Eng- land'' on the reverse, A good copper coin is also indispensable to do away with the base pieces of metal now in circulation ; and might consist of pennies, halfpennies, and farthings, of the same value as our own. The greater part of the copper coin in circulation consists of coins of all nations, tokens and bits of copper ; but even of these it is sometimes difficult to obtain a shilling's worth. Several emigrants have lately taken out farthings with them, and which, from the scarcity of copper coin, are passing as halfpennies. About five tons of copper coin were sent out by the British government to Canada in 1832. Some opposition would no doubt be made against the substitutiou of sterling for cur- i I '' 'I 160 ;i;n.|nil|| m. ill H rency in common transactions, tliough the measure ought, however, to meet with every support from the mercantile interest, as it would greatly tend to facilitate operations with the mother country. The assimilating monies of account, and the issuing of a me- tallic currency, bearing the impress of the British sovereign, would at all events be a politic measure, and assist in keeping up a lien between the two countries ; whereas the coins of Foreign states are now almost the only circulating medium, and are, moreover, nominally a legal tender, whilst the coins of the mother country are not so. The recall of small notes might be made a matter of arrangement with the banks, so as not to distress them : although, as they have already received a value for their notes, they ought to consider themselves under an obli- gation to redeem them whenever so called upon, and which a sufficient circulating me- dium would enable them to do. Banks can otherwise have no claim on their own behalf '»' m ;h the every as it ations Hating a lue-i of the s be a 1^ up a las the )st the •cover, pins of 'tj! ladea so as have ,they obli- called g me- cs can behalf 161 against the general good ; money being the standard of commerce, represents the real value of property, and ought to be kept as steady as all other measures are. The issue of one dollar notes must ever have a tendency to keep specie out of circulation, and the chief profit of the banks arises from the issue of these notes, as comparatively speaking there are few notes in circulation above the value of ten dollars. The total value of notes in circulation by the banks of Montreal and Quebec, on the 31st of December last, amounted to about £326,000 currency, and of bills discounted by them to upwards of £800,000. currency. A great portion of the issues made by the banks have been advanced on mortgages; these advances were probably made on a deteriorated value; but as the dollar may have been considered the standard of the ne- gociation, the creditor could in fairness only claim the same number of dollars back for bis notes, or such equivalent as would pro- p3 II Itii! [ J r Hr &m MM M Mi iilii:: Hi ■I ti i'i ililillil ' 11: ''■ 162 ■■* cure him that number of dollars. The diffi- culty of raising money on property in the colonies has given rise to a number of specu* lators in land, who sell it to inexperienced persons, payable by instalments, with condi- tion, that if they fail in any one of their in- stalments, all previous payments become for- feited, and the property reverts to the seller ; this often exposes the borrower, to the loss of a valuable property for a mere trifle. The deteriorated coin ought to be called in at the public expence, and melted down, proper precautions being taken to prevent the introduction of fresh coin, in order to profit -by such recall, as well as to guard against the Provinces becoming at any future period, the receptacle of base metal from the United States, — French half-crowns, and the lower denominations of silver coins, such as Spanish quarter-dollars, pistareens, or fifths, and rials, or eighths, are those which are most deteriorated. 163 diffi- in the ipecu* ienced condi- eir in- iie for- seller ; he loss ie. ■"'■•■ called down, prevent Wer to guard future oni the ind the such as • fifths, ch are A CONCLUSION. No one who emigrates to Canada with ra« tional views is likely to be disappointed; the country is daily improving, and only re« quires an increase of industrious settlers to render it equal in point of convenience and comfort to any part of the globe. The man who is fond of a country life, and who can live within the limits of his own do- mestic circle, may pass his time very agree- ably in Upper Canada. The capitalist will find in most parts of Canada, an advantageous and safe employ- ment for his money, either in the purchase of land or in building. The erection of saw and flour mills, making of potash, tanning and brewing are all of them profitable pursuits. The merchant and storekeeper may sell their goods at remunerating prices, in ex- change for produce, which they can dispose of again in Montreal and Quebec, on ad van- I; i i* < r ;: IJ.' i. •.i'-ii'ir I i: liiflPi iWm iill I:! II II 164 tageoiis terms. The intercourse with the American States of Ohio and Michigan is also likely to become of considerable importance. The farmer has abundant scope for agri- cultural pursuits in every branch, and per- sons of small means may safely undertake farmins: with hired labour. The culture of hemp, if once generally undertaken, promises the most importnnt re- results. , Establishing fisheries on the lakes, for cur- ing salmon and herrings, as well as prepar- ing isinglass from the sturgeon, would am- ply repay the adventurers. Finally the farm labourer and mechanic, if industrious and sober, are sure to prosper. iiiii li the is also tance. . agri- 1 per- ertake lerally nut re- or cur- irepar- Id am- cbanic, Tosper. :» i:/. • I. r, APPENDIX. .h INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S COM. MISSIONERS FOR EMIGRATION TO IHE BRITISH COLONIES IN NORTH AMERICA. Colonial Office, February 9, 1832. The object of the present notice is to afford such information as is likely to be useful to persons who desire either to emigrate^ or to assist others in emigrating, to the British possessions in North America. In the first place, it seems desirable to define the nature of the assistance to be expected from government by persons pro- ceeding to those colonies. No pecuniary aid will be allowed by government to emigrants ; nor after their arrival will they receive grants of land, or gifts of tools, or any supply of provisions. Government does not think it ne- cessary to give away land in a country where, by the lowness of its price, the plentifulness of I' I % iiliiilil ill mm „-il ii'iiiialiliii m\ ■' "■I'li'i 106 work, and the high rates of wages, an industrious man can earn enough in a few seasons to become a freeholder by means of his own acquisitions. The land that is for sale will generally not be sold for less than from As, to 5s. per acre ; and in situations where roads have been made, or the ground has been partially cleared, the common prices latterly have been 7s. 6d, to 10«. and lbs. Agents are maintained|[at* the principal colo- nial ports, whose duty it will be, without fee or reward from private individuals, to protect emi- grants against imposition upon their first landing «^to acquaint them with the demand for labour in different districts — to point out the most ad- vantageous routes, and to furnish them generally with all useful advice upon the objects which they have had in view in emigrating. And when a private engagement cannot be immediately ob- tained, employment will be afforded on some of the public works in progress in the colonics. Persons newly arrived should not omit to consult the government agent for emigrants, and as much as po^:sible should avoid detention in the ports^ where they are exposed to all kinds of imposi- 167 nstrious become tions. f not be re ', and 3, or tbe cotnmoQ and lbs. )al colo- jt fee or tect emi- t landing or labour most ad- generally ts which \nd when atelv ob- • some of colonics. consult 1 as much he ports, f imposi- tions. For the same purpose of guarding against the frauds practised on new comers, and of pre- venting an*| improvident expenditure at the first moment of arrival, it seems very desirable that ^, individuals who may wish to furnish emigrants with money for their use in the colonies, should have the means of making the money payable there, instead of giving it into the hands of the emigrants in this country. The Commissioners for emigration are engaged in effecting general arrangements for this purpose, and due notice will be given to the public when they shall be completed. The agent for emigration at Quebec is A. C. Buchanan, Esq. On this whole subject of the manner of proceeding upon landing it may be observed, in conclusion, that no effort will be spared to exempt emigrants from any necessity for delay at the place of dis- embarkation, and from uncertainty as to the op- portunities of at once turning their labour to account. 'i^nM' N'l' ''"''" ^^l^^ 168 ■ m m': mm. Passage* — Passages to Quebec may either be engaged inclusive of provisions, or exclusive of provisions, in which case the ship owner finds nothing but water, fuel, and bed places without bedding. Children under fourteen years of age are charged one-half, and under seven years of Asre one-third of the full price ; and for children under twelve months of age no charge is made. Upon these conditions the price of passage from London, or from places on the east coast of Great Britain, has generally been 6/. with provisions, or 3/. without. From Liverpool, Greenock, and the principal ports of Ireland, as the chances of delay are fewer, the charge is somewhat lower j this year it will probably be from 2/. to 2/. lO^, without provisions, or from 4/. to 6/. including provisions. It is possible, that in March and April passages may be obtained from Dublin for 35^. or even <30*, 5 but the prices always grow higher as the season advances. In ships sailing from Scotland or Ireland, it has mostly been the custom for passengers to find their own provi- sions ; but this practice has not been so general in London, and some ship owners, sensible of the ■■ ■M 169 I her be she of r finds dthout of age ears of hildren 3 made. re from f Great visions^ ck, and inces of lower 5 21. \0s. eluding ch and blin for L*8 grow sailing een the provi- I general of the mistake which may be made in this matter through ignorance^ are very averse to receiving passengers who will not agree to he victualled by the ship. Those who do resolve to supply their own provi- sions, should at least be careful not to lav \q an insufficient stock -, fifty days is the shortest pe- riod "or which it is safe to provide, and from LoLuon the passage is sometimes prolonged to seventy-five days. The best months for leaving England are cer- tainly March and April ; emigrants arriving late do not find employment so abundant, and have less time in the colony before the commencement of winter. The names of vessels proceeding to the North American colonies, and the addresses of their brokers, may be learnt at ail ports of the United Kingdom, including the port of London, by personal application at the Custom-house of each port. The officers of customs, however, will not be able to answer written inquiries on the subject. Various frauds are attempted upon emigrants. Sometimes agents take payment from the emi- grant for his passage, and then recommend him 170 11 ' ' i iWiMii '!■! i :li to some tavern, where lie is detained from day to day, under false pretences for delay ; but the best security is to name in the bargain for passage a particular day^ after which, whether or not the ship sails, the psssenger is to be received on board, and victualled by the owners. ' * * - The conveyance of passengers to the British possessions in North America is regulated by an Act of Parliament, (9 Geo. 1 V. c. 31.) of which the following are the principal provisions : ships are not allowed to carry passengers to these co- lonies unless they be of the height of five feet and a half between decks, and they must not carry more than three passengers for every four tons of the registered burthen j ther^ must be on board at least fifty gallons of pure water, and fifty pounds of bread biscuit, oatmeal, or bread stuff, for each passenger. When the ship carries the full number of passengers allowed bylaw, no part of the cargo, and no stores or provisions, may be carried betv/een decks ; but if there be less than the complete number of passengers, goods mny be stowed between decks in proportion not ex- rrom day ay ', but rgain for iiether or received le British ted by an of which IS : ships these co- e feet and not carry ur tons of on board and fifty ead stuff, arries the V, no part s, may be less than oods nuiy n nut ex- 171 ceeding three cubical feet for each passenger wanting of the highest number. Masters of vessels who land passengers, unless with their own consent, at a place different from that ori- ginally agreed upon^ are subject to a penalty of 20/. recoverable by summary process before two Justices of the Peace in any of the North Ame- rican colonies. ,j-,The enforcement of thiy law rests chiefly with the officere of his Majesty's customs ) and per-* sons having complaints to inake of its infraction, should address themselves to the nearest Custom- house. Besides the sea voyage from England, persons proceeding to Canada should be provided with the means of paying for the journey which they may have to make after their arrival at Quebec. The cost of this journey must, of course, depend upon the situation of the place where the indivi- dual may find employment, or where he may have previously formed a wish to settle ; but to all it will probably be useful to possess the following report of the prices of conveyance, during the 7 1 1 i 1 ; ! i i S v 1. i Smm 172 last season, on the route from Quebec to York, the capital of Upper Canada. From Quebec to Montreal (180 miles) by steam boat, the charge for an adult was 6s, 6d, j from Montreal to Pres- cott (120 miles), by boats or barges, 7*. 5 from Prescott to York (250 miles), by steam- boat, 7s, The journey, performed in this mariner, usually occupies ten or twelve days 3 adding, therefore, lis. for provisions, the total cost from Quebec to York (a distance of 550 miles) may be stated, according to the charges of last year, at 1/. 1 1*. 6d» Persons who are possessed of sufficient means prefer to travel by land that part of the route where the St. Lawrence is not navigable by steam- boats, and the journey is then usually performed in six days, at a cost of 6/. It must be observed, that the prices of conveyance are necessarily fluc- tuating, and that the foregoing account is only presented as suflficiently accurate for purposes of information in this country ; leaving it to the government agent at Quebec to supply emigrants with more exact particulars, according to the circumstances of the time at which they may arrive. 'Tl" York, lebec to 3 charge to Pres- . 3 from 3oat, 7«. usually lerefore, uebec to 3 stated, .11*. 6c?. t means lie route y steam- jrforraed bserved, ily flue- is only poses of t to the migrants to the ley may 173 PRICE OF LABOUR IN LOWI&R CANADA IN 1831. « ■ ■ ■ .♦„,..,-,.■.♦.,....'.,. ^ 1. Agricultural labourers, capable of manag' ing a ^arm in the capacity of a bailiff, per day.— January to March, 2«. j April, 2*. 4c?. ; May, 2*. 6(/. ; June, %s, 2c?. ; July, 2«. Qd, ; August, 2s, ) September, 2*. f^lOc?. j October, 2*. 3c?. j November, 2*. 4c?. ; December, 2*. 2c?. j — gene- rally engaged by the year at 30/. to 50/. per annum j very little encouragement for this de- scription of labourers. 2. Common labourers. — January and February, 1*. 8c?. 3 March, 1*. 10c?. j April, 2*. j May, 2*. 4c?. J June and July, 2*. 6rf. j August, 2*. 7c?, j September and October, 2*. 7d, ; November, 2*. 5c?, J December, I*. lOc?. -, without food or lodging. 3. Mechanics of peculiar qualifications.— .Ik' nuary to March, 5s. j April, 2s, 3d, ; May, 7s, 6d, | June, 9*. J July, 10*. 6c?. j August, lO*. 5 Sep- tember, 9«. j October, 8«. Sc?,3 November, 7*. j December, 5*. 4. Second rate, ditto, — January, February, and March, 4s, j April, 5s,', May, 6s. j June and q3 ( Ii*11 i <'l &: I 174 July, 6s. 3d. I August and September, Qs. 4d. -, October, 6s, 3d, -, November, Qs. ^ December, bs. 4d. ,*^_ I . ,^..,,'i, ^,ji 5. mrd rate, ditto.- — January to March, 3^. 5 April, 3*. 5d. ; May, 3*. 4d. 5 June to October, 4*. ; November, 3*. 6d. -, December, 3s. : — Me- chanic's wages are from custom regulated on the 1st of May and November in each year, - ,. 6. Masons and Carpenters, — January to April, 4s. J May, 5s. 3 June to October, 5s. 6d. -, No- vember, 5s, 'j December, 4*. 6d, : — Good brick- layers scarce. Little employ in winter. 7. C«rjoen^f?r5.— January to April, 4*. -, May, to October, 5*. -, November, 4*. 2d. ; December, 4^. : — Good carpenters scarce. 8. fF'orking Blacksmiths. — January to March, 5*. ; April, 5*. 4d, -, May, bs. Sd. 3 June to No- vember, 6*. 3 December, 5^. 6d. : — Not at ma- chinery. List of the places whence has been derived the information contained in the above statement : — Quebec, Montreal, Three Rivers, Berthier, L'As- somption^ Terrebonne, L'Acadie, L^cole, Sher- I 176 6s» 4d, ', jcember, ■•■I. .r ■ •ch, Ss, 5 October, . : — Me- d on the to April, (!,', No- •d brick- 3 May, cember, > March, e to No- at ma- ived the nent : — r, L'As- iL/, Sher- brooke, Drummondville^ Sheflford, Nicolet, and Caldvveirs Manor. <» CURRENT RATES OF LABOUR IN UPPER CANADA IN 1831. Derived from returns from each district, of the lowest and highest prices, * Agricultural labour, per day. — Ottawa, from 2*. to 3*. 9c?. 5 Midland, from 2*. 6d, to 3s, 6d,y Bathurst, from 2^. to 3*. 6d, j Newcastle, from 2*. 6d. to 4s. : Home, from 2s. 6d. to 4*. j Nia- gara, from 2*. to 4s. ; Western, from 2s, to 3*. Qd.; London District, Huron Tract, from 2s, 6fl?. to 4*. Agricultural labour, per month, and fonnd.—- Ottawa, from 1/. 10*. to 2/. 10*. 5 Midland, from 1/. 10*, to 21, 5s.; Bathurst, from 1/. \5s, to 2/. 10*. J Newcastle, from 2/. to 2/. 10*. j Home, from 21, 15*. to 3/. 10*.; Niagara, from 21. 10*. to 3/. 5 Western, from 1/. 10*. to 21, 10*.; Lon- don District, Huron Tract, from 21. to 3/. BlacksmithSf^QT dsiy. — Ottawa, from 6*. to 6*.} •' 176 Midland, from 5*. to 6s, { Bathurst, from 5*.'to 6i. } Newcastle, from J^s, to 6s, 3d,; "Home, from 5s, to 6^. 6d, ; Niagara, from 5s, to 6s, 6d, ; Western, from 5«. to 7s, 5 London District, Hu- ron Tract, from 5«. to 7*. Millwrights, per day. — Ottawa, from ^s, to 7s, 6d, ; Midland, from 5s, to 7^. 6d, -, Bathurst, from 5*. to 7*. 6d, ; Newcastle, from 5*. to 7s. 6d.i Home, from 5s, 6d, to 8*. 5 Niagara, from 5*. 6d^ to 8*. ; Western, from 5*. to 8* -, London Dis- trict, Huron Tract, from 5s, to 8*. Masons, per day. — Ottawa, from 4*. to 6s. ; Midland, from 4^. to 6^. ; Bathurst, from 4s, to dt. J Newcastle, from 4s, 6d, to 6s, 6d, : Home, from 4*. 6d, to 7*. 6d, -, Niagara, from 4s, 6(1, to 7s, 6d*i Western, from '55. to 7*. 6d, : London District, Huron Tract, from 5s, to 7s, 6d, Carpenters per day. — Ottawa, from 3s, 6d, to bs, 6d. } Midland, from 4s, 6d, to 6s, 5 Bathurst, from 4*1 to 6*. 5 Newcastle,* from 4*. to 6s. 6d, -, Home, from 6s, 6d, to 7s, 6d,', Niagara, from 5s, 6d, to 7s, 6d, ; Western, from 5s, to 7s. 6d, ; London District, Huron Tract, from 5*. to 79.6d. 177 n 5«.'to *Home, 6«. 6d, i ct, Hu- • , ■ I ■'■■ »• 1 ^s, to lathurst, i 7s, 6d.; n 5s. 6d^ Ion Dis- 'Other trades, per month and found.— •Ot« tawa, from 4/. to 41, 10s. 3 Midland, from 4/. to 5/. 3 Bathurst, from 4/. to 5/. 5 Newcastle, from 4/. 10^, to 5/, 10*. j Home, from 6/. to 5/. 10*. ; Niagara, from 51. to 51. lOs. 3 Western, from 51. to 5/. 12*. 6c?. 3 London District, Huron- Tract, from 51. to 5i. 12*, 6d. Female servants, — Average, throughout Upper Canada, from 15*. to 30*. per month, and found. . to 6*. 3 m 4*. to Home, *. 6d, to London . 6d. to athurst, 6*. 6d, 3 a, from 7s, 6d. 3 5*. to The Canada Company have for Sale, in Upper Canada, 2,233,000 Acres of Land of the ' following description : ^•\u: FIRST CROWN RESERVES. These are farms generally of 200 acres, which were reserved when the land was originally sur- veyed, and have been sold by the Crown to the Canada Company, who are now selling them out to individuals wishing to settle on them : they are scattered in almost every township through- out the Province, which gives emigrants, who have friends and relations already settled in the 1; 178 \f'' iiiiiiiiilj bolony, the means of choosing a situation in their vicinity. For the benefit of emigrants who can- not afford to purchase a whole lot, the Company divide their 200 acre lots into two, and sell a half lot, that is, a farm of about 100 acres, to suit the convenience of purchasers. 'second — BLOCKS OF LAND. '■' ' When the colony was first settled, several townships were surveyed without reserving one- seventh for the Crown ; but when that arrange- ment was determined on, the Crown's proportion of land was reserved in Blocks, in the unsur- veyed, or partially surveyed, townships : these Blocks are situated chiefly in the Gore and west- ern districts — the principal of^these^is Guelph, situated about twenty-one miles from the head of the Lake Ontario 5 it consists of about 42,000 acres, of which about 1 5,000 are still for sale 3 it contains nearly 1,200 itthabitants, and a village, in which are a good grist and saw mill, stores, taverns, a school, and all kinds of mechanics and tradesmen; a Presbyterian and Episcopal church «re in progress -, a minister of the kirk of Scot- in their ho can- ompany id Bell a cres, to several ing one- irrange- jportion 5 unaur- : these id west- Guelph, head of 42,000 sale ', it L village, stores, qIcs and 1 church )f Scot- 17$ land resides there, and a church of England clergyman occasionally visits it. From the clais of emigrants that have lately gone there, and from the conveniences afforded in a settlement of some standing, it will be found a desirable residence for persons of moderate capital. Persons desirous of purchasing partially cleared farms, can gene- rally procure them in the township. The other Blocks are all excellent land, and would be desirable purchases for communities of settlers. THIRD — THE HURON TRACT. After the experience of five years, ^nd after ev^ry part of it having been thoroughly explored^ the Commissioners an with contnlence recom- mend the land of this tract as superior to any body of land of equal magnitude, either in the Province of Upper Canada, or the States of Neur York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, or the Territory of Michigan. The soil is of a rich loam ; the trees— the sugar maple, basswood, elm, beech, and cherry — timber which k k : jwn in this country to indicate the very b&n land. It is & table ^•^1 ^r'^'^% ^> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) A ■«s ^ s. 1.0 [^« I.I so 2.5 liiM 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 < 6" ► PhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WESTMAIN j;.:EET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 A 0' m l! > 180 land, being from 1 50 to 200 feet above the level of Lake Huron, but its summit is diversified and rolling 5 it is watered by numerous streams, and possesses every qualification which ensures a good settlement. The town of Goderich is the capital of the tract 5 it is situated in the mouth of the River Maitland, the basin of which forms an excellent harbour 3 it contains several stores, and there is a good grist and saw mill in its immediate vici- nity. Another saw mill, on a large scale, is erecting on the River Sable, and three grist and as many saw mills will be commenced in the course of thij season. One great advantage which the Huron Tract possesses over other wild lands is its roads ; these have been cut at an immense expense, in the very best manner that roads are constructed in this country. The harbour of Goderich gives a faci- lity of shipping produce at the one end of the Tract, while the Grand River Ouse will this summer be rendered navigable to Brantford 5 and it is then proposed tc render the Nith also navi- gable, thus giving a water communication to each > '..• 181 / ;he level iied and ms, and isures a I of the he River excellent there is iate vici- scale, is grist and d in the on Tract s ; these the very in this s a faci- d of the will this >rd ; and so navi- to each end of the Tract. Depots of provisions and tools are forming along the main road, and taverns are establishing at convenient distances from each other. ' • To encourage the settlement of their lands, the Canada Company have, for the present sea- son, resolved to give settlers who purchase from them in the scattered Crown reserves not less than 200 acres, or in the township of Guelph and the Huron Tract, 100 acres, a passage free of expense to the head of Lake Ontario, in the fol- lowing manner : the emigrant deposits with the Company's agent at Quebec a sum of money equal to the price of his conveyance to the head of the lake, and takes a Receipt for it, getting at the same time a pass ticket to the Company's for- warders on the route ; when he has fixed upon his land, he shows this receipt to the agent, or presents it at the Company's office in York, and it is taken in part payment of his second in- stalment. The purchaser is allowed to pay for his lot by six instalments in five years 5 on paying of the first of which, one-fifth^ he receives a letter R 'If tl' ,.■ r,' i\ I il ! ^1 )f"iilii iiiy|i#i!' i! ii iViirEiiBiii I: . liiliSLBtliiTullii! 1 ■ \ 182 ,. : acknowledging the receipt of the money paid, and giving him a right to occupy the lot. ' -' ■'' "'' AGENTS. • ' * *^" ■'^- r- .-■■„ i _ . . . - ,'■ 'i Quebec,* John Davidson, Esq, Montreal, ••«••• Messrs. Hart, Logan, & Co* Prescott, John Patton, Esq. Kingston, James Sampson, Esq. By town, Charles Shirreff, Esq. Longuiel, • C. P. Tread well, Esq. Perth, • • • ^ • • • • Alex. Eraser, Esq. Belleville, James H. Sampson, Esq. Napanee, ^« • • • • • Allen Macpherson, Esq. Cobourg, J. G. Bethune^ Esq. Dundas, Andrew T. Kerby, Esq. Fort Erie, •••••• James Kerby, Esq. Buffalo, •••••• E. Johnston, Esq. Port Talbot,.... Colonel Bur well. Aldboroughy .... John McFarlane, Esq. Atnherstburgh, . • William Berczy, Esq. Sandwich, Joseph Woods, Esq. Baldoon, William Jones, Esq. ; Canada Company's Office, York, May I, 1832. ' ^ . 183 money paid, lot. y>^'l X „i » Esq, '■ •ogan, & Co sq. I, Esq. '^' F, Esq. I, Esq. son, Esq. son, Esq. Esq. >y, Esq. Ssq. sq. I. 5, Esq. , Esq. Esq. Esq. . ^^s^^ ) » CITY OF THE FALLS. It is proposed to found a city near the Falls of Niagara, which from the elevated position of the grounds, and their contiguity to the Falls, possess the advantages of a situation, the most healthy on the continent of North America. The heat of summer can there be borne with pleasure, while at the same time the annoyance of mosquitos and other insects is unknown. The agitation of the surrounding air, produced by the tremendous falls, combined with the elevation and dryness of the soil, and the absence of all swamps, are the causes of the salubrity of this district, so that the site may be regarded as the most appropriate on the American continent for the object adverted to. . , ♦ The proposed '* City of the Falls," will stand in the direct routes of those travelling from the cities in the vallies of the Mississipi and Ohio to New York, Boston, Montreal, and Quebec, whither all who visit the continent of North America will resort to behold this most stupen- dous work of nature. ■i' *'ii 184 A consideration of these advantages have led to the formation of a company of gentlemen, who have purchased Mr. Forsyth's grounds and houses, exceeding 400 acres, and who purpose to lay oui the grounds and houses so purchased in streets and squares to be sold in lots for buildings, ac- cording to a scale, insuring the general comfort and convenience of the new community, r The association purposes to place the esta- blishments of the Pavilion and Ontario House under the superintendence of a gentleman, who will provide suitable characters for the same, intimately acquainted with their duties, so that all who resort there will find a union of comfort, with economy, in the midst of a society truly desirable. ' Hot, cold, and shower baths will be erected Borth of the Table rock, and over these a splendid pump-room, reading-rooms, library, and refreshment rooms, with an orchestra for the accommodation of all visitors. About forty acres, including the highly pic- turesque banks, are to be appropriated to plea- sure gardens, with walks, shaded seats, and 185 jes have led lemen, who and houses^ le to lay oni i in streets Idings, ac- al comfort by. . the esta- rio House man, who the same, s, so that f comfort, iety truly 3e erected these a library, estra for ghly pic- I to plea- ats^ and every atlraction, so as to render the proposed city one of the most delightful places of retreat. Lots will be set apart for places of public worship, schools and halls for literary institu- tions. '-'■■- ■ y ■-•- A^. •; A number of cottages will be forthwith erected, and furnished for private families re- sorting to the Falls during the summer, who will have to provide nothing but their linen and plate, and may dine either at the Pavilion or in their own cottages. The Pavilion alone is intended to receive gen- tlemen and families who propose remaining longer than one week. The Ontario House, for those vt'ho may not feel disposed to remain so long. No bar-room will be suffered at either house. Wine of the best quality of its kind will be furnished on such moderate terms as will afford a liberal profit, without the extravagant prices which so universally prevail. ^ • Peculiar advantages will be afforded such gen- tlemen as shall- erect, during the present or ensuing year, cottages or houses for their per- manent dwellings or summer residence. r3 !! 186 I, The streets will be laid out and marked, for the accommodation of persons desirous of ac- quiring building lots. Materials for building are from 50^ to 100 per cent, cheaper than in New York or most other cities. - ^ -^:;r^i3* Mechanics connected with building, will find it their interest to acquire a residence at the proposed city. . , ^-* r. The city will afford a most agreeable perma- nent residence for respectable families, with limited incomes, as all the necessaries, and the chief luxuries of life are remarkably cheap, and attainable on more moderate terms than in Eu- rope; and where the best society will meet, without the expense of entertaining them.— While at the same time, it will prove a residence admirably adapted for placing children in the way of earning their own independence either in the United States or Canada^ as good schools will be formed there. A charter will be applied for^ so that aliens may hold real estate in the city. Proprietors. — ^The Hon. W. Allan, President of the Bank of Upper Canada ; James Buchanan, :;li , marked, for ous of ac- [)uilding arc lan in I^eiv :, will find ace at the t)le perma- ilies, with \9, and the cheap, and han in £u- will meet, g them.— - a residence en in the nee either »od schools ^hat aliens 187 Esq./ His Majesty's Consul, New York; the Hon. Thomas Clarke; the Hon. J. H. Dunn, Receiver General ; Thomas Dixon, Esq., Presi- dent of the Society of St. George, New York ; Lieutenant-General Murray, of the British Army ; James Robinson, Esq.^ and Samuel Street, Esq. The survey is now being made, and an agent attends to give all necessary information, and dispose of the lots. VMi- , te^'iff . -' ' ■SS-^Jii .<',\. r' .-.-.»-■. '-v ,, ^ 5 , President Buchanan, ss III 3 'q" c< CO w r^ oocor* ^ s PM 04 J o — aooso — oo-fdiNap^io'OM-^r-uSp — cowfn CO toaoo «o ^ a o oo ;o 1 0)30coro i 1 «2 Three Rivers. gjO'*^C02Jt»^OOt»-5«-.t,0C0iN01»S fO t- » « f- CM u V JO d <3 — >noor»a>»*oo»'C^e2'rj3;--«co(NO?0'M'0«oo--'tQO^»o 0)0>a)QO»oot*x l> «0 i-t "^ 1 1 . ' o a o cooo»(Ncoyisc>ii>i'^ — i«'-<(Mor»i^for» — oio»0'-'co^i Qoo — 003C5 — 00— . — toc>4eo — oooi'co-n* «3» V et .j; n^ a fie, j£ fft O O O 73 O n3 "t: "TT t^ iJ rt o 0*5 p,o (h t* r. a o u fl '3 0) a a a iS CQ to 4) <^ * ^^ u O 4> .1-1 *J 0) o « 2 «1 -^ ■»» -^ ^ ^« i-- 5j « « « g « » S3 ♦* ^ = "".Si 2 S "= u S P •= « - 2 g-- 4) 4- K?H « 2 s O W f* ^ tf) 30«W S I lO X5 O U5 o e^ ^ -< -t 00 ^ lO o ^ 5 'O — irnvj ._ f « lO »0 CO i? ^< f>4 * • ■ • ■ t M • t« • . c« : r * * i o : -.5 : • •m» , . tm I >CQ lO 0) "^ ¥ •> ►. rt .2S a«*< C o S^ r-4 tS 4» • • * « «-=3 . • I W — .iii • • • »< *j ^^ . • ..S 4^ 4) : : :sss : : :^ >»•§ • : .•'^'5 ?* • • := 3 S -2 «, S rt i;^ .-= = •[: S *^ ist m w mi stille tash rsons ived f e«"-" O 4» •* !5'-*P^i: ll I ft, -I a o 9 a. o s ^ s s o o . r y. ..-} >/. INDEX. A. '■'^'^' Ashes, manufactory of 89 — — ' — trade in 117 Aurora Borcalis . . . . , 53 *»j. B. Balsam, Canada 78 Banking, remarks on • i'^^ Bays, Burlington 41 Quints 39 St. Paul's 10 Seven Island 5 Bees 93 Beet root, plant and sugar o .79, 80 Board and lodging, Quebec and Montreal 28 Boots and shoes, imports of 130 Boundary line of Upper and Lower Canada ; . . 34 C. Canada Company's lands 144,177 Canals, Erie 46 LaChine 29 Rideau 31 Welland 42 Cape Tourment 13 ! I illll'i': 'ft : ■■*' 192 INDEX. Cattle 90 Charges on merchandize, Quebec and Montreal .... ISd Chateau Richer, castle of 19 City of the Falls, plan of 18S Clearing lands 56 Climate, Lower Canada 27 —Upper Canada 48 Coals, imports of 132 Coast of Labrador 5 Commissions on merchandize, Quebec and Montreal 138 Cotton goods, imports of 129 Crops 60 Barley, cultivation of ..... 63 Buck wheat „ , 63 Clover ff 66 Hay „ 66 — — Indian corn „ 64 Millet ,; 64 Oats .,, „ 63 — — Potatoes fi , 64 - Pumpkins ,; , 65 Rye „ 63 '"■^*'~~ X urnips n «« ....^.•. .'........ oo Wheat „ 60 Currency, remarks on 145 • present regulations of 155 D. Deals, trade in 127 Distnnces, tables of 114, 1 1^ I iiiii iM • ■ • • • • • 'f*^ eal . ...ISci 19 18S 56 27 48 1S2 5 lontreal 138 129 60 a • • • ■ • • 03 • ■ 03 66 66 64 64 63 64 65 63 65 60 145 155 127 ...114,11^ / V INDEX. 19^ E. Eboulements, hills of , 9 Emigrants, arrivals of 1-14 Emigration Committee information 16^ Estimates, cultivation 96, 100 stock 99 produce.. 101 Exchanges 133 Export articles, Quebec and Montreal 1 17 Exports in 1831 and 1832 14$ F. Falls of I a Chaiidiere -- 32 La Puce..... 14 Montmorcnci... ., = 17 >Magara.- 44 Recollet 25 Saguenay 7 Fish, description of 98 ■ trade in 13 1 Fisheries JSl Flax, cultivation of 73 seed, trade in 123 Flour, trade in 119 Fort St. John 23 William Henri .. 23 l^^eights ,, 1S9 Fruits gg Furs, trade in , igg Furniture, prices of , |03 V .. . 194 ii ' I ' INDKX. G. Ginseng root 78 Goderich, town of 106 H. Hats, imports of ....... . .,, I 30 Hemp, cultivation of . . , 68 Hops 68 Huron, district, description of 1 05 I. Import articles, Quebec and Montreal 129 Imports in 1831, 1832 HI Implements of farmkig, prices of 99 Indian corn meal, trade in 12 1 Insurances , 140 Island of Anticosti 4 — Bique 8 — Orleans 13 Isinglass, description of 92 Inns, charges at 116 K. Kamouraska, village of 1 1 Kingston, town of 38 .L. Lake Erie 45 Huron 47 Ontario 39 Si. Charles H ill I 'I I \ I 78 106 ISO 68 68 105 129 141 99 121 140 4 8 13 92 116 II S8 45 47 39 l^ INDEX. 195 Lake St, Francis .'34 St. Clair 47 St. Peter's 22 St. Louis 8S Simcoe , 41 Superior 48 — Thousand Islands 37 Linens, imports of • 1^9 Loretto, village of 17 Lumber, trade in.. • 184 " M. Malbcy ^ 9 Malt, substitute for 79 Maple sugar 81 Markets in Quebec • . • 186 ——Upper Canada... ..•• 108 Mineral productions ....• 63 Montreal, City of 86 Mountain of Beloeil > 83 Population returns, Lower Canada. 188 — — — Upper Canada 189 Prescott, town of S6 Price current of exports ...134 — imports 137 Provisions, salted beef and pork , «... 1 23 Passages out 1,166 Q. Queenstown 42 Qi'.ebec, City uf 15 . 196 INDEX. AMI lif*. R. Rapids, Cedars 31 Cascades 33 Lon^ue Sault 36 Niagara 45 Recollet 25 Richelieu 23 Rivers, Chaudiere 18 J acques Cartier 20 Niagara 45 Ottawa 30 Saguenay 7 — Trois Rivieres ^ ' Jlevenues of Upper Canada H3 --.■i - s. Salt, imports of , 130 Seasons, Upper Canada .,., 49 Soil, Upper Canada 54 Sheep 92 Shuinac 79 Shipping, -arrival and sailing 141 St. Lawrence, entrance to. . ; 4 Stock, prices of 103 Sugar maple 81 beet SO Sunflower plant 79 Stenni-buats 116 Staves, trade in „ 1:^7 Statistics, Lower Canada 188 Upper Canada 189 ' II INDEX. i»7 31 SS 36 45 25 2i 18 20 45 30 ....... 7 ........ 21 143 ISO 49 34 , 92 79 141 4 103 SO ..* 79 116 188 189 T. Taxes and rates 142 Traverse, shoal of 10 Timber trade 93, 128 Trade of Lower Canada 117 Trees, Ash 78, 126 Bass 77 Beech 75, 126 Birch 74,126 Cedar •. 77 • Elm 126 — Hemlock 76 Juniper 78 Larch 77 Leather 79 Oak 77,126 Pine 76,126 Spruce • 76 Walnut black 75 Trois Rivieres, town of 21 Tobacco, cultivation of 80 W. "Wages rati-«» of, Lower Canada 29, 173 Upper Canada 104, 179 Water, nualities of 53 Winds, Upper Canada 50 Weather, ditto 51 Whirlpoo*.. Nk«?ri .:..u;,'. ...... ;..,.. r- 43 ;■ . ■ . :'*:•• ^ ' ''■::. •' '• >'■ !,'''• .... ... • . • ■ : ' • ; ^ ' a f * - ' . ^ . ;'■:'••»■ ..'■[" \ . . t ' 198 INDEX. Wolfe's rov<» 1V?^>J „,^^'» fe'Jhn i^v- -^// KM* ■>u :^ -i-.'Sfi^ < ..■-..^-^^ ■" - - ■- > ;j ,J^t8#f,|)» -:..^.>^rf G. Titterton, Printer, 71, Coruhill. < ■> 4 • « .1 . * 4 •> <> . I t » » • O " li »>»*'> ^ *• ♦ • P » rf' » ,» • u ^M o a, rt *■ . -f .'' a a t> »n'«^ '' • . I ?» ■ « „•'■■ ■ • i'