The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 4, December, 1834Various
History
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 4, December, 1834
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
[Footnote 1: On Evidence, and Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes.]
In the household economy of these thrifty and industrious people, it
were endless to specify all the things worthy of our imitation. Their
use of cold bread conduces to good in a threefold way: a less quantity
satisfies the appetite, and it is in itself more digestible than warm
bread; thus doubly promoting health: while there is a sensible saving
of flour. The more frugal scale upon which their ordinary meals are set
forth, is another point in which for the sake of economy, health, and
clearness of mind, we might do well to copy them. By burning seasoned
wood, kept ready for the saw in a snug house built on purpose, and by
the simple expedient of having the doors shut and all chinks carefully
closed, they secure warm rooms with half the fuel that would otherwise
be necessary. I cannot, however, forgive their bringing no buttermilk
to table. The _natives_ seem wholly ignorant, how pleasant and
wholesome a food it is for man; and give it to their pigs. The
hay-harvest lasts from four to six weeks; it has been going on ever
since the 1st of July. Of course, the hay cut at such different periods
must vary greatly in ripeness: and here they confirm me in a long
standing belief, which I have striven in vain to impress upon some
Virginia hay farmers--that the hay, cut before the _seeds_ are nearly
ripe, is always best. The earlier part of the mowing, (where the crop
is about equally forward) is most juicy, sweet and tender. The corn is
now in tassel, having attained nearly its full height: the height of
about five feet, on rich land! It is a sort differing from ours: small
in grain and ear, as well as in stalk; and very yellow grained. It
ripens in less time than ours; adapting itself to the shorter summers
of this latitude. It is planted very thick: three or four stalks in a
hill, and the hills but three feet apart.
With many vegetables and fruits, the season is five or six weeks later
here than in Virginia. Thus, garden peas are still, every day, on the
tables: I had cherries in Boston last week, of kinds which ripened with
us early in June; and it is but a fortnight, since strawberries, both
red and white, were given me in Connecticut--by the way, it was _at
breakfast_.
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