tractor complained that even half the hay, for merely his labour, was a hard bargain. With pleasing sensations I departed from Mr. Cobbett's residence; and most willingly express my obligation to him for a reception generous and liberal.

Long Island, a part of the State of New York, is chiefly occupied by farmers: their populous capital affords a ready market for produce. This island in length is 120, and in breadth 12 miles. It is divided into counties, two of which retain the names of royalty, after the disappearance of the reality; the first being called King's, the second Queen's County-such inveterate tyrants are ancient establishments. The west end has a good soil, and is in a state of moderate cultivation; the east has a considerable portion of sandy plains. The introduction of gypsum, and other improvements in their mode of agriculture, have much increased the annual produce. I am informed that within the last 14 years farms have risen in value 25 per cent. Land is worth from 31. 7s. 6d. to 331. 15s. per acre. A choice of farms may now be purchased in this island at from 151. 15s. to 221. 10s. per acre, including necessary buildings. Farmers do not live extravagantly: few of them have money in reserve. The high price of labour, indifference of the soil, and general want of capital, must cause a long continuance of this state of things. The

AGRICULTURE.

71.

agriculturist, who alone can, in this island, entertain rational hopes of profit, must have sons that will work, and be himself among the foremost by labouring with his own hands. There being no tax upon horses, their labour is preferred, and mules and asses are seldom if ever used. The breed of horses is good, but not large: one fit for a waggon is worth 221. 10s.; a saddle or drawing horse, 351.; gig horse, 331. 15s. to 56l. 5s. ;' carriage ditto, 90l. to 1201.; fine riding ditto, 901. to 1201. Cows are worthlean, 91.; fat, 111. 5s. to 131. 10s. Pigs are sold, per pound, alive; the present price is 7d.; sheep, 9s. They are. very small: an entire carcase is not much larger than a Leicestershire leg of mutton. A sheep,' when fattened for market, is 13s. 6d. A good farm cart is worth 71. to 91.; a ditto waggon, 221. to 231.; a farmer's man-servant, 241. to 301. per year; a ditto woman, 121. to 161. Early wheat is cut in the middle of July. The wheat and rye harvest is completed by the end of August; buck-wheat, in October; Indian corn, ditto; oats, middle of August; grass, from 1st to the end of July. The seed for winter, rye and wheat, is sown from end of August to end of September. The following advertisement, extracted from the New York Evening Post, may convey more specific ideas of the value of farms than the preceding statement. Previous to this notice of public sale, I applied, with a

view to our friend L, to know the lowest ready money price. Mrs. Ledyard, their owner, informed me that the first would be 100 dollars, and the second 70 dollars, per acre.

66

"FOR SALE AT AUCTION,

"At the T. C. H. on the 1st day of March next, the "farm belonging to the estate of the late Dr. Isaac Ledyard, situated one mile south of the village of Newtown, Long Island. The Williamsburgh turn"pike runs through the farm, on one side of which is હૃદ a new excellent stone wall, half a mile in length. The "farm contains about 150 acres, 15 of which are a fine "wood lot, with two apple orchards, one old, the other "just beginning to bear well, and a suitable proportion "of good salt meadow. The mansion house is large "and convenient, four rooms on each floor, with a good "kitchen and cellars; attached is a large barn, crib, "hen house, smoke house, well, and a new cistern, &c. "The court-yard and garden contain a variety of fruit "trees and shrubbery, a large asparagus bed, rasp"berries, and currants,

"Also A farm adjoining the above, containing "about sixty acres; attached to which is an equal proહૃદ portion of salt meadow, and a lot of young wood, ❝ situated within less than a mile of the farm, containing ❝ten acres, with a farm house, barn, well, garden, &c."

Wishing to see York Island, Mr. Dashwood, a fellow-boarder, had the politeness to accompany me, in a single horse chaise. We proceeded a few miles beyond Hearlem Bridge, where we visited a farmer with whom Mr. D. was ac

quainted. Apple trees were in profusion on the road side. There is no obstacle, and seems, indeed, no objection raised to any person's taking fruit. The scenery, during this ride, particularly on the margin of the East River, is pleasing and diversified. Country seats are rather numerous one half of them, at least, are to be sold or let.

could make a

My excellent friend S pleasing selection on York Island. I enquired the price of several places: they vary, of course, as being affected by causes similar to those which serve to lessen or to increase the value of houses in England. A residence, two stories high, sufficiently large for a family of ten or twelve persons, with a garden, and from two to fifteen acres of land, is from eight thousand to twenty thousand dollars (18001. to 45001. sterling); a variation occasioned by difference in the situation, or in the style of building.

The following description I extract from a letter, sent me by the solicitor of a person to whom I applied. The house referred to is four and a half miles from the city, and in the immediate neighbourhood of a good road:

"The house and other buildings are substantially and neatly built.

"The cellar to the house is perfectly dry, being partly blown out of the rock.

"The house is filled in with brick, furrowed

1

74

66

HOUSE ON SALE.

off, lathened and plaistered, so as to be as tight "and comfortable as a brick house.

"The two wells on the place are both blown

through a rock; the one near the house for "twenty or thirty feet, and both contain ex"cellent water for family use, particularly the "one near the house.

"Particular pains have been taken with the "garden, it being a fine level garden spot, and "filled up on one side, with mould carted into "it, to the height of eight or ten feet.

"There are a great number and variety of "fruit trees of the most improved and best "kinds.

"The situation is elevated and healthy, and "commands one of the finest prospects on the ❝ island.

"The terms are 10,000 dollars, which can be “made payable, a small part in cash, and the re"sidue in such payments as may be convenient.";

B (a coach-maker), who sailed in the Ann to Boston, and M (a chair and fancy japanner), who came in the Criterion, have got work at Newark, a town in Jersey, ten miles from the city of New York. I have been with them several times, and through their means am possessed of some information relating to mechanics and manufacturers. I made several visits to Jersey: it is situated opposite New York, on the southern banks of the Hudson.