Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-01-24
Agriculture and the Ladies.

we like 10 see ladies Skilled III all tue
business of the vegetable garden. And more
than this, we like to see them (f farmers
wives) participate in all the anxiety and in
terest their husbands feel about their field
crops. We like to hear them talk as if they
had enquired and really knew good deal
about such things. There is an affected air
of utter ignorance, as to all things pertain
ing to cotton, corn, wheat, &C., sometimes
assumed by farmers wives and farmers
daughters. This is simply ridiculous. 1t
should be their pride to observe and become
acquainted with the business Of the farm as
far as may be consonant with womanly
habits. There is nothing more charming
than downright, rosy checked, bright.eyed
country lady, who prides herself upon her
country independence and country advan-
tages, and can discourse upon them sensiby.
We append the following extract from an
address recently delivered before the Mary.
land State Fair, to show our ladies how
their sisters in Old England look upon this
matter.
GAS showing the interest English ladies
take in agriculture, cannot but relate a
casual interview chanced to have with an
English lady, in going up in the express
train from London to York. Her husband
had bought book at the stand as we were
about starting, and remarked to her that it
was one Of her favorite American authors
HAWTHORNE casually observed, i was
pleased to see young American authors
found admirers with English ladies' when
the conversation turned on books and au.
thors But | said to myself pretty soon,
This is literary lady-probably her hus-
band is an editor or reviewer, and she uses
the scissors" for him-at all events, must
retreat from this discussion about authors,
modern poets, and poetry. What should
farmer know critically of such things! I'll
were only in those felds-if the converse.
ton could be made to turn upon crops or
catte-,hen should feel quite at home |
finally pointed out field of wheat, and re.
marked that it was very fine. The lady,
carefully observing it, said. 'Sir, think it is
too thin--a common fault this season, as
the seeding was late. Those drills, she adj
ded, turning to her husband for confrma-
ton, cannot be more than ten inches apart,
and you see, sir, the ground is not complete.
ly coyered-twelve, and even fifteen inches,
is now preferred for the width of drills, and
two bushels oil seed to the acre will then
entirely cover the ground, on good land, so
you can hardly distinguish the drills
elf the goddess Ceres had appeared with
her sheaf, or her conucopia, could not have
been taken more by surprise. a lady des-
cantng on the a0ilth Of aohcat drills, and
the quantity of seed :"
al will try her again. said |; this may
be chance shot,; aud remarked, III refer
ence to field Of plowed ground we were
passing, that it broke up in great Jumps, and
could hardly be put in good tilth. 'We have
much clay like this she replied, 'and for
merly it was difficult to cultivate it in til
lage crop; but since the introduction OF
Croskll's Clod Crusher they will make the
most beautiful tilth on these lands, and
which are now regarded as among the best
wheat lands
"Ihe conversation turned on cattle. She
spoke OF the best breeds Of COWS for the fall
-Ayrshires and Devons; told me where the
best cheese was made-Cheshire; the best
butter-Ireland where the best milk-maids
were to be found-Wales,"
"'Ohp said |, | was mistaken; this
charming, intelligent woman, acting so
natural aud unaffected, dressed so neat and
so very plain, must be farmers wife; and
what helpmate he has in her
"The train stopped at York. No sooner
had my travelling companions stepped upon
the platform, than noticed they were sur.
rounded by half a dozen servants-men and
women-the men in full livery. 1t turned
out 10 be Sir John and Lady Fl. This gen.
tleman, learned, was one of the largest
nd-proprietors in Berkshire. and his lady,
the daughter of nobleman, peeres in her
own right; but her title added nothing to
her-she was noble woman without il"