so thick in places, that the oats,
peas, spring wheat & c. are entirely
hidden.

29th

A pleasant ride 2 or more miles
down a rich bottom all under culture.
The scarcity of rail timber has in-
duced many farmers on this river
to hang gates at certain places
instead of fencing each side of the
road, so that corn, wheat, peas & c.
come close up to the road side, which
causes a delightful appearance where
crops are good. From thence to De-
graph’s 17 ½ miles; this stage the
land mostly stony, some of it very
rough, & but little bottom land on
the river; the buildings mean &
farming poor. I have often ad-
mired since we came on this river
to see such large heaps of ashes