Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-05
srAMAINE NONDA
NO 80.
Dailu Kennebtr :journal.
CContinued.]
My Trip to Europe.


thirteen ladies in our party, twelve went up
the Eggischorn probably five miles or more,
alternately riding on mules or walking, two
of them walking the whole distance, and this
at the close of long days ride in carriages;
and the next forenoon. the whole twelve de-
seconded on foot, in the middle Of
hot midsummer day. Whilst these
ladies, and the gentlemen Of the party with
them, were testing their powers of locomo-
ton on the mountain side, we who had re-
manned below, took guide, and addressed
ourselves to a long
WALK IN THE VALLEY,
to get view of the Viesch glacier, very
much like the Rhone glacier, but less extern
sive, and to see whatever else we could dis
cover in Swiss valley. The valley through
which we walked presented very pleasing
landscape. 1t was shut in by high hills on
each side, but the low-lying slopes were
green with grass and cultivated crops. The
fields were intersected by mountain streams
or brooks, and we observed a mode of irri-
CATION practiced here, which would not be
feasible except in a mountainous country.
Here il is simple, and yet effectual. The
farmer diverts portion of the current Of
brook that comes down the mountain side, in
to a canal perhaps foot wide
and foot and half deep. running nearly
on level, on the upper margin of his field.
Then, by stopping the flow of water in his
canal with fiat stone or sheet of iron placed
cross-wise. at any point he chooses, he causes
the water to overflow into his field, and thus
irrgate that portion of it; and by removing
the dam to another point in his canal, he re-
peats the process in that section of the field.
As these fields are all more or less on
slope. and the mountain brooks are always
flowing, all the fields may in this manner be
easily irrigated. The summer in these val
leys is only about three months long, and is
very hot while it lasts. On the mountains
above, there is always snow to be found. and
the frequent glaciers, though constantly melt
ing do not change materially from year to
year.
The path we followed was narrow, but well
trodden, crossing brooks by stone steps, and
winding through fields and pastures. At
some points we had to Chamber over piles of
rocks or climb grassy slopes. We passed
men, women and children, some at work in
hay fields, in their awkward fashion, and
some following the path for purposes of their
own. These people, from constant exposure
to the sun, are very much of the hue of North
whilst we have seen but few cases of goitre,
Ca diseased excresence upon the neck,) yet
we have failed to discover any persons in this
part of Switzerland who had the appearance
of robust health. Their compilations are
sallow and dull. and their general look is
stolid and unintellectual.
After pursuing our walk between two and
three miles, we got grand view of the gla-
cier, which like others is a huge field Of bro
ken ire extending far between two heights.
The stream which rushes through the village,
takes its rise at the. base of this glacier, and
pursuing its course discharges into the Rhone.
Away beyond the glacier, we had clear
view of one of the tallcst snow clad peaks in
''Finsteraarhorn,' 1900 feet in height.
''Finster," from fnis ierye, the end Of earth.
ONWARD.
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the party
having again come together, and taken the
necessary rest, we re-entered our carriages,
and in about two hours, reached Brieg, where
we have very satisfactory quarters for the
night. During our journey Of l2 miles to
this place, we found a perceptible improve
ment in the appearance Of the houses, viii
lagos and people. The last hour we saw
fields of Indian corn that looked thriving and
rich This was the first and only corn We
had discovered on the continent, except two
or three patches in gardens in Germany. In
these Swiss valleys, hay is the most impOr-
tant crop, as the winters are very long; but
they do not seem to use much skill i'm culti-
vating or curing it. Nor do they attempt to
improve the kind of grass they raise, but al
low their fields to bear what natural grass
they will. Their mode of getting it in, is to
make up bundles in sort OF sheets, and car
Al. Al.xs.
rude cart racks, and there pack them in in a
pile. The ground is so irregular and broken
that the carts cannot be moved from place to
place, but have to be stationed in the most
accessible spots. When the carts reach the
barn, the bundles are carried up ladder on
the outside. and the hay is thrown into win
dow. One of our party examined some Of
the hay in the barns, and found it so full of
weeds, and so poorly cured, as scarcely to be
fit for cattle to feed upon.
Grain is cultivated extensively, wheat, rye,
oats and harley. The stalks and heads are
generally small, indicating light crop. Yes
terday noticed field Of hemp, the first and
only one. Turnips and potatoes are raised
everywhere. What did the world do without
potatoes, before Sir Walter Raleigh brought
them to England from South America 25O
years ago?
We have not yet got sight Of Mont Blanc,
but are travelling towards it. Buried amongst
multitude Of peaks and heights, of all
shapes and forms, the Monarch of Mountains
has not been visible to our eyes from any
point we have reached. Thus far we have
enjoyed bright and sunny days, the finest
weather imaginable for mountain excursions,
and remarkable for Switzerland.
An UNEXPECTED MEETING.
Brieg is a small Swiss village at the en-
trance Of the Simplon pass. Several snowy
peaks are visible from it. 1t is q railway
station; and whilst we were waiting for our
train Of cars to take US towards Chamouni
and Mont Blanc, train came in from that
direction, bringing all our friends Of the
second section, from whom we had parted in
London. They had been to Paris, Geneva
and Chamouni, and were now on their way
to Italy by the Simplon pass. The members
of our little section exchanged cordial greet
ings and hearty good wishes with friends with
whom we had become acquainted on board
the Anchoria; and after few minutes spent
in social intercourse, both sections proces ded
on their respective journeys, they towards
Milan, and we towards Chamouni
VERxAYAz.
vernayaz, Aug. 2. We left Bfieg aboat