Thus encouraged -- the same person has been down every year since, and has made so considerable improvement on this sort of boat, that arks are now used which carry five hundred barrels. From the most diligent inquiry, and from the ease with which Mr. Bartles carried down his lumber last spring, there does not exist a doubt but that the navigation of the Conhocton and Canisteo will serve for boats of this kind, carrying from three to five hundred barrels. As they are never intended to be used but for descending in high water, they are navigated with few hands, and go down with great rapidity. It is intended that two shall go from the county of Steuben this season :they will be loaded with valuable lumber, and a few fat bullocks. It is supposed they will reach the tide water,

• The distance from the head at the Canisteo to Havre de Grace.

1162 PAPERS RELATING TO

at Havre de Grace, in five days. In a few years, flour, and every other article of produce in demand at the sea-ports, will be sent the same way. In every other back country of America, where there exists a possibility of sending the spare provisiotis abroad, particularly on the Oliio^ the difficulty of procuring salt to cure the beef and pork will prevent these branches of farming from yielding any profit. The situation of the Genesee Country, and, mdeed, the whole western part of the State of New- York, is, in this respect, highly advantageous. It is supplied with salt in such ibundance, that the price is not higher than on the sea coast ; and the intermediate country, till within one hundred miles of tidewater, is also supplied from these works.* Thousands of barrels pass every year through the Genesee Country, for the use of settlements fifty years established, and one hundred miles nearer to the sea coast.