This wood grows
abundantly upon the upper river, and is there cut down and floated
in great rafts down to Rosario. It is a tough wood, which splits
readily, and is therefore admirably suited for posts. It is of a
reddish color, and has a pretty grain when polished. All the
furniture was made of it; and this, from constant rubbing by Sarah
and the girls, now shone brightly, and had a very good effect.
The ceilings were now put to the rooms, which were greatly improved
in appearance thereby, and the difference in temperature was very
marked. A very short time after the capture of the wild fowls' eggs
it was unanimously agreed that chickens were indispensable, and a
large hen-house was accordingly built at a short distance from the
dam, as it was considered as well not to have any buildings, with
the exception of the men's hut, near the house. The hen-house was
quickly built, as it was a mere framework covered with felt, with
bars across it for the fowls to perch upon.
The floor was made, as that of the house had been, of lime and clay
beaten hard; and a small cut was made to the dam, by which water
could, at will, be turned over the floor to keep it clean and neat.
The next time the cart went to Rosario it brought back fifty fowls,
which had only cost a few dollars.
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