Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/418

 406 General Olf creations on

lazy method of clearing the wood-lands ; yet it is the moft expeditious method they could have pitched upon, under their circumstances, as a common hoe and a fcnall hatchet are all their implements for clearing and planting.

Every dwelling-houfe has a fmall field pretty clofe to it : and, as foon as the fpring of the year admits, there they plant a variety of large and fmall beans, peas, and the fmaller fort of Indian corn, which ufually ripens in two months, from the time it is planted, though it is called by the Englifh, the fix weeks corn. Around this fmall farm, they fatten (takes in the ground, and tie a couple of long fplit hiccory, or white oak-fapplings, at proper diftances to keep off the horfes : though they cannot leap fences, yet many of the old horfes will creep through thefe enclofurcs, almoft as readily as fwine, to the great regret of the women, who fcold and give them ill names, calling them ugly mad horfes, and bidding them " go along, and be fure to keep away, otherwife their hearts will hang fharp within them, and fet them on to fpoil them, if envy and covetoufnefs lead them back." Thus they argue with them, and they are ufually as good as their word, by ftriking a tomohawk into the horfe, if he does not obferve the friendly cau tion they gave him at the la ft parting. Their large fields lie quite open with regard to fencing, and they believe it to be agreeable to the beil rules of ceconomy ; becaufe, as they fay, they can cultivate the belt of their land here and there, as it fuits their conveniency, without wafting their time in fences and childifhly confining their improvements, as if the crop would eat itfelf. The women however tether the horfes with tough young bark-ropes, and confine the fwine in convenient penns, from the time the provifions are planted, till they are gathered in the men improve this time, either in killing plenty of wild game, or courfing againft the common enemy, and thereby fecure the women and girls, and get their own temples furrounded with the fwan-feathered cap. In this manner, the Indians have to me, excufed their long-contracted habit and practice.

The chief part of the Indians begin to plant their out-fields, when the wild fruit is fo ripe, as to draw off the birds from picking up the grain. This is their general rule, which is in the beginning of May, about the time the traders fet off for the Englifli fettlements. Among feveral nations of Indians, each town ufually works together. Previous thereto, an old

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