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BACKWOODS AND PRAIRIES.

" Lockport, niinois, 29th December, 1850.

" Dear-,   I suppose you will have begun to think that I

am like many of those who leave Ireland for America, and that I have forgotten the promise I made to write to you and let you know what I think of this country. You are, I suppose, aware that I did not leave Liverpool until last March, and when there I delayed writing until I had seen sufficient to enable me to form an adequate opinion of the country, and until having purchased such a property as suited me, and having actually commenced farming in America, I could speak positively as to the prices of land, labour, grain, and stock. First of all, in order to put you out of suspense, let me say I have never, for a single moment, had reason for ought but thankfulness to God for having led me   if even somewhat later in life than might have been desirable   to this peaceful, prosperous, and happy country.

" I will proceed at once to tell you what I have done on my own account, and then I will mention those particulars which may be useful in assisting you to judge how far it may be judicious for you to come over. After having speut the summer in visiting the districts which offered most advantages, 1 have, I hope, for life ended my rambles, by purchasing the property from which this is dated. I am situated about a mile and a quarter from Lockport; a busy town on the Michigan and Illinois canal, which latter unites the waters of Lake Michigan and the great Mississippi river. In Lockport are to be found all the arrangemeuts and conveniences which are to be met with in such towns as Wexford or Waterford. My farm contains exactly 200 acres, of which 150 are arable and pasture, the remainder woodland, consisting of many sorts of trees whose names are unknown to me, but chiefly of the finest oak, and of a size that would astonish you, as you will understand when I mention that having caused a single tree to be cut down, and cut into fit lengths for burning, I found it to yield seven two-horse wagon loads of the fiuest fuel; the whole farm is well fenced and divided, and has a stream of water running through it. The surface is not more uneven than is necessary to carry off the water, and it consists of perfectly black mould, ranging in depth from one foot to five, and resting on a loose and porous subsoil, under which is the limestone rock. In neither soil nor subsoil is there a single particle of sand, nor one solitary pebble of the smallest size.   The house, which is about as good as Mr.

-'s, of -, is situated in an orchard stocked with the

choicest fruit trees, and outside the sitting-room windows is an excellent garden, and a well of delicious water. There is a vast barn capable of containing 200 barrels of wheat in the