centre.  Of this surface it was thought something like three-fourths was dry land, or naked rock.  This would give rather more than a million and a half of acres of land; but, of this great extent of territory, not more than two-thirds could be rendered available for the purposes of husbandry, for want of soil, or the elements of soil.  There were places where the deposit of mud seemed to be of vast depth, while in others it did not exceed a few inches.  The same was true of the sands, though the last was rarely of as great depth as the mud, or alluvium.

A month was consumed in making the allotments, and in putting the different proprietors in possession of their respective estates.  Then, indeed, were the results of the property-system made directly apparent.  No sooner was an individual put in possession of his deed, and told that the lot it represented was absolutely his own, to do what he pleased with it, than he went to work with energy and filled with hopes, to turn his new domains to account.  It is true that education and intelligence, if they will only acquit themselves of their tasks with disinterested probity, may enlighten and instruct the ignorant how to turn their means to account; but, all experience proves that each individual usually takes the best care of his own interests, and that the system is wisest which grants to him the amplest opportunity so to do.

To work all went, the men forming themselves into gangs, and aiding each other.  The want of horses and neat cattle was much felt, more especially as Heaton’s experience set every one at the sand, as the first step in a profitable husbandry:  wheelbarrows, however, were made use of instead of carts, and it was found that a dozen pair of hands could do a good deal with that utensil, in the course of a day.  All sorts of contrivances were resorted to in order to transport the sand, but the governor established a regular system, by which the lighter should deliver one load at each farm, in succession.  By the end of a month it was found that a good deal had been done, the distances being short and the other facilities constantly increasing by the accession of new boats.

All sorts of habitations were invented.  The scarcity of wood in the group was a serious evil, and it was found indispensable to import that material.  Parts of Rancocus Island were well wooded, there growing among other trees a quantity of noble yellow pines.  Bigelow was sent across in the Abraham to set up a mill, and to cut lumber.  There being plenty of water-power, the mill was soon got at work, and a lot of excellent plank, boards, &c., was shipped in the schooner for the crater.  Shingle-makers were also employed, the cedar abounding, as well as the pine.  The transportation to the coast was the point of difficulty on Rancocus Island as well as elsewhere; none of the cattle being yet old enough to be used.  Socrates had three pair of yearling steers, and one of two years old breaking, but it was too soon to set either at work.  With the last, a little very light labour was done, but it was more to train the animals, than with any other object.