Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-04-27

Europe am telenis,s I'm tsAth Amsriea.
TIN ooLoNIEs OF SWISS AND " FrsH --,llFE
al NiRAIx56EIA. M

tionsat BueIoseA yres. reports that there
areten colonies established in the Ar
gentine Republic, composed almost en-
tirely of European families, of which
the aggregate number is 1894, contain
ing 1850 individuals. Several of these
colonies are composed chiefly of Swiss,
who have prospered well in their new
homes, on the land conceded to- them
by the government. Some of the Swiss
families at Baradero, one, hundred and
twenty miles from Buehos Ayres, are
now worth FL, 900. The, cultivation of
potatoes is their principal ind ustry.-
One family-husband, wife and five
children-in the colony of St Carlos,
founded by commercial house at
Basic, came over in 1859, and have
now, by industry and labor, repaid
money advanced to them by the com
pany for the voyage and first expenses,
and become possessed of a good farm
of their own, with ninety-four head of
cattle, twenty-one horses, five thousand
fruit trees. and many acres. devoted to
wheat and Indian corn.
Such an account unfortunately can
not as yet be given of the Welsh colony
in Patagonia. The promoters of this
colony fixed upon the banks of the riv-
er Chupat es spot eLlinentiy adapted
for the establishment Of colony, In a
region inhabited only by tribes of In
dams, and. cut off from all contact with
the civilized world. Another error of
Judgment was committed in fixing the
period at which the emigrants were to
reach their destination, which was, af4
ter, the season for sowing had passed
In the absence of crops they have been
entirely dependent for the necessaries
of fife on the charity of the Argentine
government, whose only engagement to
them consisted in a bare concession OF
land; but by this time their first crops
have been got In in January or Febru-
ary), and it is hoped will compensate
them for the hardships and privations
| to which they have been exposed. =
Sixty acres were cultivated and sown,
and calculating l $3.50 pounds ofTwheat
to the acre, they will have for the CON
sumption OF the present year twice as
much wheat as they will require, and
will thus be enabled to dispose of the
| surplus, 1t is estimated, at a rate of rs.
Sd. 10 the 100 pounds. They are in
possession of so cows and 80 calves.
These Welsh colonists reached river
Chupat on the 2Sth of July, 1865, hav-
ing sailed from Liverpool three months
previously. Their number, from 153
at starting was raised by seven births
and by three persons who joined at
BeuDos Ayres to 1853; but 20 deaths
and the desertion of LIZ of their party
had subsequently reduced their total
number on the 30th of June, 1866, to
| $50 souls. There are 90 adult males In
the colony, and IA adult females; also
| Is males and IL females under II years
of age-making 80 families in all. Nine
marriages have taken place in the col
ony. The ground at present occupied
extends on each side of the Chupai
over an area of twelve miles. The eli.
mate is very good, little colder, driel
aud more bracIng than that of Beunos
Ayres. The bay of Paula Nueva
abounds III fish; and game is plentiful
Seals are met with in great number;
ON the coast, and inland there are
numerous herds of guanacosor, wild
llamas, whose skins are highly priced,
and are used by the Indians as then
only garment. Stone in great variety,
gypsum and salt are met WITH the lat.
ter artitle IN great abundance. 1t is
also reported that coal exists in the
neighborhood of the settlements.
The success of this Welsh colony
may be said to rest on the future sup
port 1t will meet with in regard to an
augmentation In it's number; and new
immigrants would escape misfortunes
which befell the original settlers. 1t
would be very ungracious not TO record
the liberal conduct of the Argentine
government towards these pioneers. =
From the date of their arrival at Pata-
gonia regular supply of provisions
has been forwarded to them; they have
thus been enabled to ride over the Sc
cious difficulties with which they were
surrounded. ~