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idea of picking up that which lies on the ground; it is per-
mitted to rot. Apples, pears, plums, quinces, peaches, nuts
of every description, chestnuts, cherries, &c., ripen fourteen
days earlier than in other States, North and West, which
must be of great benefit. Indeed, I tell you, a Paradise
awaits all who come. I know for certain that nobody will
ever repent of it for one hour, but the contrary will be the
case. With very little labor and trouble one can make a good
living here and lead a happy life. I ask you all, can you do
that in Germany ? No. Of course the first year one has to
accommodate himself a little, but at the same time you must
not think that you will be transferred into a primeval wilder-
ness, but rather into a country where one can bring to market
all sorts of vegetables in the first year. Nobody will ever suf-
fer hunger. Suppose the case he should have no flour, he
takes a boat and goes into the bay and catches oysters.
When we arrived on the farm the owner (knowing that the
two gentlemen liked them) had some oysters taken out by
two negroes. In about two hours they had caught about five
bushels; the bushel costs in the market one and one and a
half dollars, according to the season. They catch the oysters
with double iron rakes fastened together like tongs on a long
pole; they bring up every time about a dozen oysters. With
large rakes they would have a bushel in a quarter of an hour.
This is a very profitable occupation in the winter months for
those who will work. A good hunter can make plenty of
money in the fall and winter in shooting wild ducks &c.
Also millions of fishes are tumbling "in the water, which was
moved by them—therefore hunger is out of the question here.

A countryman whom I met on the boat, and who carries on
duck shooting during the winter to while away his time, told
me that he gets in the market one dollar for a pair of ducks.
He is already fourteen years in that neighborhood, only ten
miles farther up; he looks quite different from a poor little
countryman from the "Alp." Another advantage we have
in a brook big enough to feed a saw and grist mill. There
was a saw mill once there, but only the house remains, though
dilapidated. During the slavery times, they principally car-
ried on the wood-cutting business' A good well is about
three hundred yards from the bay; its water runs down into
the bay.

Tobacco they plant also. In the evening we enjoyed it,
smoking tobacco raised on the farm. This is something for
our good friends in Benzingen; therefore do not delay any
longer; prepare yourself and go the promised land. You
can commence at any time. If you begin late in the year
you can make a handsome harvest next year.

I could write much more about the lands, but the letter is
full and it may otherwise be too heavy. To all of you I send
my hearty greeting. Tour faithful brother,

JOHANNES WOLZ.