It is thought, in short, this fishery is better
than any on the coasts belonging to France.
The air is extreamly wholesome, which is proved by the longevity of its
inhabitants. I myself know some of above an hundred years of age,
descendants from the French established in Acadia. Distempers are very
rare. I fancy the climate is pretty near the same as in the north of
China, or Chinese-Tartary. This country too, being rather to the
southward of Canada, is not so cold as that; the snow not falling till
towards St. Andrew's day: nor does it lie on the ground above two or
three days at most, after which it begins to soften; and though the thaw
does not take place, the weather turns mild enough to allow of working,
and undertaking journeys. In short, what may be absolutely called cold
weather, may be reduced to about twenty-five or thirty days in a winter,
and ceases entirely towards the end of March, or at latest, the middle
of April. Then comes the seed-time. Then are made the sugar and syrups
of maple, procured from the juice or sap of that tree, by means of
incisions in the bark; which sap is carefully received in proper
vessels.
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