Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/162

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discover to an inch where it is sown. On clover the cattle will eat the pasture bare where plaster has been sown; but if a spot has been missed, they leave that un-*tasted, and never touch it. It is seen to produce abundant dew, and is thought to contain alum and to stiffen the soil, so as in time to destroy all vegetative power. It is suitable only for light, warm soil. He thinks that ten per cent on capital or four per cent in addition to common interest is not generally made by cultivation, even on good land with good management; but if liberal house-*keeping is taken into account on such improved soils, which it is not customary to do, that a profit of 15 per cent has been, is, or may be obtained. Wheat is now only 36 cents or less than eighteen pence sterling a bushel, and unsaleable at that or any other price at Buffalo state, New York. The distance from market makes it so.

Milling and Millers.—Mr. Hillery, who owns a most complete grist and saw-mill, worked by water, buys no wheat, but has more of his own and of his neighbours', than he can grind.—He takes the tenth for toll. He finds it almost impossible to get a careful, faithful miller at 500 dollars, or 112l. a year!

{153} Sunday, 12th.—Last evening I re-appeared in the Federal City, after spending a week in that beautiful fruitful vale, 40 miles long, and seven broad, partly in Maryland and partly in Virginia, and the only fertile spot, north of Carolina, which I have yet seen. Here I found much information, real hospitality, honesty, great good will, genuine urbanity, and friendship, accompanied by wealth and independence. I was pressed to return and revisit these squires and farmers on some future day, and spend weeks with them. For this kindness I am indebted to my friend Mr. Dunn, to whom it would