The crop averaged nearly two hundred thousand tons a-ycar ; and during the warm season, one hundred men were employed in conveying it to the river, and fifteen

THE HUDSON.

barges were used in transporting it to New York, for distribution there, and exportation.

"We crossed the bay to Croton Point, visited the villa and vineyards of

MOLTH 01 THE CROTON.

Doctor XJnderhill, and then rowed up Croton Bay to the mouth of the river, passing, on our way, under the drawbridge of the Hudson Eiver Railway. It was late in the afternoon. There was a remarkable

THE HUDSON.

stillness and dreamy repose in the atmosphere, and we glided almost noiselessly up the bay, in company with two or three duck-hunters, in their little cockles. The tide was ebbing, and as we approached the mouth of the Croton, the current became more and more rapid, until we found ourselves in a shallow rift abreast the Van Cortlandt Manor House, unable to proceed. After vain efforts of our united strength to stem the current, the boatman landed me on the southern shore of the stream. After satisfying his extortionate demand of about the price of three fares for his services, I dismissed him, with a strong desire never again to fall into his hands ; and then clambered up the rough bank by the margin of a brook, and made my way to the " post road," a most picturesque highway along the lofty banks of the Croton. When near the "High Bridge," at the old head of boat navigation, I obtained a most interesting view of the Mouth of the Croton, including Dover Kill Island near, the railwaybridge in the distance, and the high hills on the western shore of the Hudson in the extreme distance. The scenery thereabout is both picturesque and beautiful, and such is its character to the very sources of this famous stream eastward of the Pawling Mountains, whose clear waters supply the city of New York with wholesome beverage.