The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-10-21
From Maine to Dakota.

Writing of his trip from Waldo county to
the far west our correspondent says: Wes-
tern Maine presents diversified appear
ance. While there is some good land after
leaving the kennebcc valley. there are a great
many small sand hills and large areas of BUSH
es interSpcrsed with swampy places. Immense
fields of ledge are also found For some dis
tance after leaving Bryants Pond, a succession
of woody hills and fertile valleys are crossed.
Near the extreme western boundary and
through northern New Hampshire and Ner-
mont the valleys become very small in compar-
ison with the vast woody hills or mountains
Night closed in as we passed through scenery
that was described by the natives as wild and
romantic. When the dawn of another dH
lifts the veil we find ourselves within the
limits of the vast level tract which surrounds
Montreal for hundreds of miles in every di-
recton. We enter Montreal through Victoria
bridge which is two miles long and cost ST.
100000. The moist level tract around Montrc-
al extends far up the St. Lawrence, but is
more rolling as we proceed. This region
would remind one of the western prairie were
it not all fenced off into small lots and covered
with surface bitches from three to ten feet
apart. The buildings Of the Dominion bear
the marks of antiquity. AZ we approach
Kingston large tracts of ledge are interspcrS-
ed. After leaving Kingston the land on the
shore of Lake Ontario did not appear very
valuable. As we proceed beautiful level fields
appear, but they can not be very fertile rs the
barns are very small, but little hay or grain is
stacked, and stock is very scarce Between
Bcllyic and Trenton some stone walls We're
noticed, the first in the Dominion. The APP
pearancc Of the country seemed very much
the same for the little time that remained be-
fore night closed the scene. At Toronto the
cars We're crowded and several of the pa>>cl-
gers Were the worse for strong drink. Business
men tell Us that rum is the ruin of the country.
If this curse could be driven from the land the
small old buildings would be replaced by large
new ones, hay and grain would cease to be
stacked out exposed to the weather, and the
soil would receive superior cultivation for
which it would amply repay. For the little
time daylight reveals the view before we
reach Port Huron, the general character of the
soil acrord> pretty We'll with the appearance Of
the country throughout this region travcr,c;l
hy the Grand Trunk railroad. After entering
Michigan the country appears more undulating
than in Canada and portion, Of the soil are
rather sterile. We noticed corn about one
foot high and beans just out of the ground. and
other crops in proportion. This was not Il
very encouraging prospect for Michigan farm
crs thus late i'll September. The quality Of tine
soil improves however, and fair crops are
ng Battle Creek we pass through splendid
farming country. As we approach Chicago
the character Of the soil gradually improves
and hundred acre corn fields are seen. Cattle
which have been very scarce increase in num-
Der and quality. 'TWcnty-tiv head wa. the
largest herd noticed No one prctcnd> to
house his hay; hundreds Of large stacks are
seen in every direction. Large fields of cab
bagc are seen near Chicago We reach that
city about dark and leave at 1870 7. NJ. The
next morning daWus Il, we are ascending the
Mississippi near Dubuque The hilly agrcul-
tural country ntcr>pcr>cd with wood reminds
one of Maine. After leaving Dubuque the
lI'iH l''tNStS llplE tllt llNtl NUiltN NIltH j.
from half 4 mile TO one mile in width and
hemmed in on carn Side hy lcd5cy bluh. thir-
t. feet in hci@ht. The Iowa Side j, said to be
Il handsome prairie, but we could not look over
the Bluff. a. McGre@or we leave the river
valley and strike out for the west across am I'M
,luating country which consists of hand |
some black soil. Excellent CROPS of corn and
other products are raised and the land is said
to be worth from so to $50 per acre. After
leaving Charles City the land appears more
level. Much Of it has not been cultivated and
large herds of cattle are seen. Around Nora
Springs there is considerable wood. The sur
face is uneven and not Il GOOD a> around the
Stream. We are now fairly on the western
prairie> where land can he bought cheap or
high according to location, where We can camp
out nights OF pay good price for lodging if
We can gtt chance. The people are kind and
ob"ing but the hotel men like to be well paid |
for their accommodations. We will continue
our rambc> il Dakota at some future time.
q. NJ. {.