Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-05-01

4 ShSy was ~ q ktC0L GAlGHt Al
his vineyard produced a good crop mex,
season, il would net two or three hundred
dollars. Moreover, if the muck compost
i answered, one or two hundred dollars
would be made by using it. Week after
week came the Gazette; but it did not, as
at first, bear the name of Benjamin Hicks,
for the old gentleman, instead of sending
his own paper, had ordered it TO be mail
ed to Peter from the office. No longer
were unpleasant emotions excited when
the postmaster handed him the Gszette.-
He would have felt no little disappoint-
ment had there been any failure. What a
change was wrought III the whole family
Of Peter Miller, in very short space Of
time, by The newspaper. Its carefully se-
lected stories, ever intoxicating some good
principle, or awakening the feelings 10
warmer sympa:fics; its current history of
passing events; its pleasant melange Of wit
and humor; and its grave lessons Of truth
to the understanding, and good impulses
to the heart, gave aliment and comfort TO
the hungry minds Of parents and children,
at the same time that it elevated them into
a higher and purer and healthier region.
| In Hannah, who used TO warble like q
bird from morning till night, the sweet
voice of music had become dumb. But ere
the spring opened, that voice was heard
again. 1t sounded strangely familiar and
pleasant TO Peter and in his heart awoke
a thousand dear responsive echoes.
| Peter had become different man, and
was looking hopefully forward to the sum-
mer, when the experiments would be test :.
ed. The change in Ellen and Henry vas
quite apparent. Both became excited to
self-improvement; their father procured
books, in which they studied daily, with
the regularity Of scholars at school. Their
hearts being in what they were doing, they
improved wonderfully. This fact pleas
ed their parents, and increased the cheer
funess into which they were gradually
rising. During the winter their sheep
were attacked with the distemper, from
which they had suffered so fatally the year
before. Timely communications in the Ga
zette from large wool growers in Ohio,
among whose flocks the disease had ap-
peared, enabled him TO apply remedies, till
then unheara of in his neighborhood, and
which prevented the loss Of a single ami
NAL. When spring opened Peter employ
ed two extra hands in hauling swamp
muck, and in preparing it for certain fields
tha. needed renovation. Had this knowl-
edge of its valuable fertilizing properties
been obtained earlier than it was, he could
have used i, to far greater advantage in
that years crop. AS it was, he made a
saving of nearly $l00. In many things
pertaining to agriculture and stock raising
was Peters mind enlightened through the
Gazette. The value of lime he never full
ly understood, uu'iI he saw it clearly set
forth in an extract from The American
Farmer" that, by a proper application, al
small expense, he could keep his fields
in a productive condition, at an expense
far less than usual. Here Peter obtained
first glimpse into the mysteries of agri
cultural chemistry, without which no far
mer can work his ground to the best ad-
vantage.
Harvest time came and Peter had ra
ther more than an average crop. He had
600 bushels of wheat. 500 of corn, and
200 of potatoes, TO sell, besides hay. oats 4,
rye, &C., sufficient TO winter his stock. -
Moreover, whether from the particular
treatment Of his vineyard, as suggested by
the Gazette or not, we will not venture to
say, his vintage brought him $3.50. Since
the harvest, Peter had examined weekly,
with much interest, the prices in the Ga
zett~; and when, at last he called on Grey
s. Elder, he knew the highest selling rate
to cent. Before Offering his produce he
obtained his store bills and found that they
were nearly four hundred dollars. The
fact was, be had started the year with
scarcely dollar to live on. and was CON-
PEELED to 60 on trust for everything until
another crop could be taken. This bill,
added to his mortgage made debt of $500.
At the prices quoted in the Gazette, all
his wheat, corn and potatoes would be ab-
sorbed, and still over 5000 debt remain.
Peter had started some S4OO in debt, and
now would owe only 5000 after the sale
of his crops. And this more favorable
state Of affairs was traced to the New
Years Gift of Uncle Ben, which, when re-
ceived had so deeply incensed him against
the old gentleman, that even yet he was
not fully forgiven.
What are you paying Tor wheat! asked
Peter, on calling at the store.
'65 cents. lis that the highest.
Peter shook his head, and replied,
Wheat is quoted in Cincinnati at To-
ndeed!--Mr Gray looked Surprised
He did not feel so, for he knew the price.
Yes said Peter, III is quoted a, 70 10 so
in the Gazette 1T costs something 10
get the wheat 10 market know it does;
but not 10 cents bushel. What are you
paying for corn?'
Mr. Gray thought for some moments,
and replied, '22 cents Zoo far below
the Cincinnati price, said Peter. 'Ah?
What is the price there?' 80 CENTS
I'VE can't give that
You can do better than % cents, if not
! must find market in Cincinnati.'-
How much do you want?'--'I want as
near the Cincinnati price as possible. Say
~ for wheat, and 27 or 8 for corn.'-'We
can't pay prices like those. Mr. Miller
We'd better give up business.-'Le. me
know the best you will do
The partners held consultation, and
agreed TO offer 6S for wheat and 20 for
corn. Peter reflected on this, and said,
.Ill t,Eo toniphf fn think orer the matter,