The soil, however, appears to be in general excellent -- the country is a little more uneven than it is back in Amsterdam. After travelling about 10 miles in a tolerable road, I came to Stonearabe (or Robby as the Dutch pronounce it.) This is a parish of Palatine, and is composed principally of High Dutch, or Germans. Passing on 4 miles, came upon the river in another parish of Palatine -- a snug little village, with a handsome stone chh. Having travelled a number of miles back of the river, I find that there is a great similarity in the soil, but some difference in the timber. From Johnstown to Stonearabia, the timber is beech and maple, with some hemlock. In Stonearabia the timber is walnut, and butternut. The fields of wheat are numerous, and the crop in general is excellent. In every thing but wheat, the husbandry appears to be bad. The land for Indian corn, it is evident from appearance, is not properly plowed -- they plow very shallow.

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MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1131

Neither is the corn tended-- it is in general full of weeds and grass, and looks miserably. Rie is large. Flax does not appear to be good -- whether this is owing to the season or the soil, I know not. Pease appear to flouiish -- so do oats; but tlie soil, I believe, is too hard, and clayey for Potatoes-- they look very sickly.

I perceive, as yet, but one great defect in the morals of the people-- they are too much addicted to drink.