Those in Ne ew Netherland and especially in New England, who have no means to build farm houses at. first according to their wishes, dig a square pit in the ground, cellar fashion, 6 or 7 feet deep, as long and asibroad.as,they think proper, case the earth inside with wood.all round the wall, and line the wood with the bark of trees.or something else to prevent the caving in of the earth ; floor this cellar with plank and wainscot it overhead for a Ceiling, raise a roof of spars clear up and cover the spars with bark or green sods, so that they can live dry and.warm in these houses-with their-entire families for, two, three and four years, it being understood that. partitions are run through those cellars which are adapted to the size, of the, family. The wealthy and principal men in New England, in the beginning of the Colonies, commenced their first dwelling houses in this, fashion for two

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32,7 INFORMATION RELATIVE TO

reasons ; firstly, in order not to waste time building and not to want food the next season ; secondly, in order not to discourage poorer laboring people whom they brought over in numbers from Fatherland. In the course of 3 @ 4 years, when the country

became adapted to agriculture, they built themselves handsome

houses, spending on them several thousands.

After the houses are built in the above described manner or otherwise according to each person's means and fancy, gardens are made, and planted in season with all sorts of pot herbs, principally parsnips, carrots, and cabbage, which bring great plenty into the husbandman's dwelling. The maize can serve as bread for men, and food for cattle.