American Pocket Library of Useful Knowledge/Emigrants
EMIGRANTS.
Rich lands abound to such an extent, in almost every variety of climate and situation, in our country, and are so easily obtained, that no advice, for selecting, can be necessary. Where there is so much to choose from, ordinary intelligence can hardly go amiss. A few hundred dollars, health, a disposition to labour and submit to privations, are all that is required to insure real wealth and independence.
A Log Cabin is made of round, straight logs, about a foot in diameter, tying on each other and notched in at the corners, the crevices stopped with slips of wood and mortar made of clay, with a roof of rafters covered with bark, &c. This suffices till larger and better accommodations can be made.
Clearing next follows. Fell the trees early in the summer. Cut large ones first; let them fall in such direction as will enable you to fell the largest number of small ones on or along side them; and fell all parallel as near as possible, for convenience in rolling together. Lop the limbs of large trees; cut the small ones into suitable lengths to haul on to the large. By this process two men may heap and burn most of the limber, without a team. Never chop or draw large trees till reduced by fire. Fire the heaps the next May, if dry; if not, wait till July or August. Heating the soil so destroys the green roots, and the ashes are so beneficial that a good crop of wheat or Indian corn may be had without ploughing or manuring. Plough shallow in autumn, cross plough deeper in the spring, harrow well, and be sure of golden crops. Winter chopping is sometimes preferred, and the burning done in the following August, if a dry season.
See Public Lands–Agriculture–Health, &c.
ADVICE TO WESTERN SETTLERS.
The following good common sense directions are by the Rev. T. Flint.
“The most affectionate counsel we could give an immigrant, after an acquaintance with all districts of the western country, of sixteen years, and after having seen and felt no small share of all we have attempted to record, would be to regard the salubrity of the spot selected, as a consideration of more importance than its fertility, or vicinity to a market.” The advice to have a lancet, and learn how to open a vein, is good; and that to have a small and well labelled and well supplied medicine chest, is not amiss, connected with what follows, viz., “To be, after all, very cautious about either taking or administering its contents, reserving them for emergencies, and for a choice of evils; to depend for health on temperance, moderation in all things, a careful conformity, in food and dress, to circumstances and the climate; and, above all, let him observe a rigid and undeviating abstinence from that loathsome and murderous western poison–whiskey–which may be pronounced the prevalent miasm of the country. Let every immigrant learn the mystery, and provide the materials, to make good beer. Let every immigrant, during the season of acclimation, especially the sultry months, take medicine by way of prevention, twice or thrice, with abstinence from labour a day or two afterwards.”
We should say, let the immigrant, when he first experiences unpleasant bodily feelings in hot weather, such as headache, with loss of appetite, fast and rest from labour for a few days, and he will avoid sickness, and prevent the necessity of taking any physic at all. “Let him,” continues the author, “have a Bible for a constant counsellor, and a few good books for instruction and amusement. Let him have the dignity and good sense to train his family religiously, and not to be blown about by every wind of doctrine, in religion, politics, or opinions. Let his rifle rest, and let the game, unless it come in his way, live on. Let him cultivate a garden of choice fruit, as well as a fine orchard. Let him keep bees, for their management unites pleasure and profit. Let him prepare for silk-making on a small and gradual scale. Let him cultivate grapes by way of experiment. Let him banish unreal wants and learn the master secret of self-possession, and be content with such things as he has, aware that every position in life has advantages and trials. Let him assure himself that if an independent farmer cannot be happy, no man can. Let him magnify his calling, respect himself, envy no one, and raise to the Author of all good, constant aspirations of thankfulness, as he eats the bread of peace and privacy.”