Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-04-01
Agrteultural.
From the New World.
AGRlCUITURAI.T TOUR
IN THE U. STATES AND u. CANADA.
CONTINUED

BY CAPTAIN BARCLAY.

| lage OF MS locaiity-Noyage up me Iiuuson con
tinued--Auival at Albany--Mr. Sautham---
His farm---IIis stock .-Sit,ia,ion and population
of Albany----American observation-disclosures
! chapel---Observancs of Sabbath and religious du,
ties---Inspection Of Mr.. Southam's stock Mr.
Renton's stock---Sheep---Sol round Albany
Kentucky iarmes---Theif farming Disadvan.
tass of their distance Gom market---1heir pur.
chase of stock---Stock suitable for them.
MAY, lS4l.
From New York enjoyed the grea, beauty
Of the sail up the Hudson, / 6 miles. TO Red.
Hook. We passed what is styled the High.
lands. a bold picturesque and rocky shore,
winding through the mountains covered with
wood, and having beyond them a rich cultiva.
ted country extending far into the interior.
From Red-Hook ! crossed over to the resi-.
dence Of Mr., Henry Barclay who had purchas-
ed considerable estate on the opposite shore,
and named it Ury. l was kindly received by
Mr.. Barclay. who has resided fifteen years al
Try. where he has founded town, now con.
tanning 600 Inhabitants, erected paper and cot.
ton mills. and altogether laid out large sum
which he informs me is making him hand
some return.
| His residence is about six mi es from the Cat
skill mountains, a range in form not unlike the
Grampians, though more stupendous, and for
the most par, covered with pine trees and high
rocks. He says country lies between him
and the Catskill range, which is well cultiva-
ted. But on his own estate observed the same
Objectionable system of agriculture have al
ready noticed.-.no attention is paid 10 stock,
and no leases are granted. the tenants holding
from year to year. and being allowed TO crop
The land as they chose. He is now, however.
quite aware Of the advantages he would de.
rive from an enierprising tenantTy conversant
with proper mode of husbandry. and would
willingly grant 10 persons Of that description
favorable leases for a term Of years; and, as his
estate is situated within seven hours sail of
the New York market, a grand field is here
laid open for agricultural emgrants from Brit
ain.
On the 18th, abou, 2 p. n. resumed my
voyage up The Hudson. in the steamer for Al
bany, disIan, fifty miles. The shore on both
sides continues bold and rocky, but beyon
as far as the eye can reach. il travels over d
country rich in inclosed fields, woods, and viii
las.
Arriving at Albany a, o'clock. was met
on board by Mr.. Souiham from Oxfordshire,
who has been in the country three or four years
and occupies farm Of 800 acres about. ninety
miles from Albany, which !, ing quite out of
the less regretted as understood it is still in
very rough state. and does not yet fully ex.
hibi, the effects of subsection TO the English
mode of management. Mr.. Sou,ham has been
large importer of Durham and Hereford cat
lie. particularly the latter, which he considers
better adapted for this country, although on
this poin. have difficulty in coinciding with
him.
l Albanr cloru taxvo rnnfanInn ahnuf
sc, 900 inhabitants, is pleasantly situated on
the banks Of the Hudson, and commands, on
both sides Of The river, an extensive view over
fertile country interspersed with thriving
towns and villages.
| The hospitality Of America, to which can.
no too often alude was here again experien-
ced by me in several of the first families in The
place. particularly in those of Mr.. Rhodes and
Mr.. Corner. The latter Of whom had been my
fellow passenger in the Britannia. These
gentleman are both engaged in trade, and no.
thing could exceed the comforts of their hous-
es and establishments.
On Sunday the 10Th / attended an Epis-
copal place OF worship neatly fitted up and
commodous---as much SO as most churches in
London; the service much the same as 10 the
Established English church, the sermon ex-
cellen,. and the congregation of respectable
appearance. From the little had seen. and
all had heard. i, appeared that here and else
where the people 10 America are correct OBJ
servers of the Sabbath and attentive TO the du.
ties of religion. 10 Albany there is also a
Presbyterian church, and several others Of diff.
ferent persuasions.
| Neat day, inspected Mr.. Souiham's i'm
ported stock which, his farm not being 10 a fit
state to receive them, he keeps within three
miles Of Albany. ! accordingly saw herd
of abou, twenty Hereford cows. tied up, and
in fair condition; one very superior three year
old Durham heifer; and some good Berkshire
pigs. The Herefords seemed very good, but
| do not pretend 10 much knowledge Of that
breed.
| also visited a neighboring gentleman. a
Mr.. Prentice, who has herd Of about twenty
Durham cows which. for the most part, he
had imported, and also three Durham bulls.
His cows were tolersble. but he decidedly
had not gone 10 thefouniain head for his bulls,
as one Of them was a coarse ungainiy animal,
and the other two evidently spurious.
Hitherto, had not had an opportunity Of
seeing any sheep. ! now saw small flock
Of Merino ewes belonging 10 Mr.. Southsm
which he proposesio cross with the Coiswold.
The Merinos are ugly unsighaly animals. but
II was told they are universally preferred
Throughout The States.
Round Albany. the soil is sandy and poor.
requiring much manure 10 make j, productive.
I could not discover that any better system Of
agriculture was followed here. Than ! had Oh
served in other places.
I here, met with two Keuiucky farmers
with when had good deal Of conversation