The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-07-08
Correspondence Of the Banner.)
ABBEVlLLE, June goth.

<Aobc AIAA3 SoaS SSsA
Friend Allen II had concluded to
close my communications upon the sub
ject of the land of flowers" with my
last number, but some are unwilling to
take the numbers already published, as
full and impartial account of facts,
claiming that l am bound to speak of
the Inconvenience attendant upon an
immediate settlement in that country.
Well, expect that all your readers,
are aware OF the fact, that in seeking
new country, they have first to abandon
the old, and most people find many diff
cultles in preparing for the removal.
Their houses and lands, and other pro-
perty, must be disposed Of, and much of
it at sacrifice. Preparations are to be
made for the journey-suitable wagons
and teams, and tent cloths are to be
prepared-a farewell visit is to be
made to the numerous friends, and
these partings, with friends. for the last
time, are not agreeable, for they are Of
ten concluded with fearful eye,
downcast countenance, full heart, and
silent tongue. But then, the sadness
is IN part cancelled by the reflection,
that while they are severed from friends,
the same distance separates them from
. the decei;ful smiles, the slanderous
breath, and bitter cruel wrath of their
enemies. Having fairly started, the
difficulties of the journey are next in or
der. But little distance is gained, until
the team fails to proceed. One con-
cludes that the team is balky; another
finds fault with the old wagon, but an
experienced WAGNER knows, that in
seven cases out of every ten, people
overburden the team, when they at
tempt to move.
How sweetly sleeps the weary travel
ler; yet, the slumbers of the family are
disturbed by the midnight squallings
of the little children. But am writing
for all classes, and as some have no chill
dren, the remarks that I might make
concerning them, could not apply to all
travellers, and will therefore, leave the
children, where, Barney left the girls "
The distance to be travelled, if by
land, is about $50 miles; if by water,
600. When you arrive there, you have
houses to build. Any log cabin will
answer if it has a good roof, as the eli.
mate is mild both summer and winter.
You then have to clear the land which
you intend to cultivate. Not by "kil.
ling and crippling," (as in this country,
leaving most of the timber standing,)
but by making clean work of it.
AS for workingthe soil, it is perfect
pastime, the soil being exceedingly light
and destitute of rocks and red clay.
Horses are but little used. l will here
caution persons desirous of moving to
Florida. Never take large horse
there, as they will soon die, if put to
service. But ponies and mules, live as
we'll there, as any where else. Nor
shonld cattle be driven there, from this
distance, as the fatigue of the journey,
and change Of climate and diet, with
other causes, will kill two out Of FIVE.
Hogs grow rapidly there, and fa.ten
without any effort on the part of the
owner. The paint.root and other vege-
tables, fatten them as a6undan,ly as
corn, although the flesh is less solid. If
you intend raising hogs, and intend
living near a lake Or pond, it would be
we'll to supply yourself with a good rifle,
an, abundance Of ammunition, as well as
asgood. pack'of dogs; for between the
aligatots, bears, tigers and wolves, you
. r