The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-16


FEnRuAaY, in this latitude, is usually
clustering month. December commonly
gives US a strong nip Of winter for q weel
or two, and than it seems to rest awhile il
order to get breath. Then January comes
with occasional warm south winds ant
showers bare spots are in tho fields ant
runners crate harskly on the gravel roads
silver streams glide on the clear Ice, and the
robins, perhaps, leave the thick swamps ant
makes US visit but il Is o brief one, fol
the north wind suddenly assumes tho mas
terry The elm tops sway and yield to its
fierce breath oil is frigidity an3 congela'iou
again; tho eJndenscd- ice cracks like pistol
reports, and wakens the drowsers in the
chimney corners '..
So all the Months have their peculiar
characteristics. The agreeable author oi
the Mirror Of the Months says ''somo one
has said Of the Scotch novels, that that is
the best which we happen to have perused
last. Il is thus that estimate the relative
value and virtue of the Months. The one
which happens to be present with me is sure
TO be that one which happen to like better
than any of the others. lately insisted on
the supremacy Of January on various nc.
counts. Now have similar claim to put
in favor of the next in succession. And il
shall 90 hard but will prove, to the entire
satisfaction Of all whom it may concern,
that each in her turn is, beyond comparison,
the swisest, virtuousest, discrcetest, best.
Indeed | doubt whether, on consideration,
any one (but Scotch philosopher) will be
inclined to dispute the truth OF this, even as
logical proposition, much less sentiment.
The time present is the best OF all possible
times, because it is present-because 1T is
because il is something; whereas all other
times are nothing. The time present, there
fore, is essentially better than any other
time: In the proportion of something to
nothing.
The cleverest Scotch philosopher that
ever lived has said, in memoir OF his own
life, that man had better been born with q
disposition to look on the bright siie OF
things, than to an estate Of ten thousand a
year. He might have gone further. and said
that the disposition to which he alludes is
worth almost as much to q man as being
compelled and able to earn an honest livell-
hood by The sweat Of his brow Nay, he
might almost have asserted that, with snch
disposition, man may chance to be happy
even though he DO born to an estate oi
,trenty thousand year But ], not being
THANK my stars) Scotch or any other
philosopher, will venture to go still farther,
and say, that to be able to look at things as
thsy are, is best Of all. To him who can do
this all is as il should be-all things work
together for good-whatevsr is, is right
To him who can do this, the present time is
all sufficient, or rather it is a!l in oil Tor IL
he cannot enjoy any other. 1t is because no
other is susceptible Of being enjoyed, except
through the medium Of the present"
HEAD Work. We trust the suggestions
in last months calendar 10 improve the
head as well as to occupy the hands, have
had due consideration, and that this i'm
poriant work will be continued through the
month Of February.
PLANS. The work Of spring and summer
should be arranged now while there is leis.
ure 10 consider il in all its bearings. Wha,
fields shall be teyoied TO corn, oats, beans,
turnips, carrotsl Where the early vege,a-
bles, the tomatoes, radlshes, egg-plan,s,
cabbagesl What breadth in each Of the
principal crops, how much seed per acre!
Wha, trees shall be planted, and vha, 10.
cation shall they occupy' How much stock
shall be summered, which oxen or cows
sold or iaitencd, and how many swine kept!
Shall the Gardens have a small assor,men,
of choice pears-,he Bartlett, Secle, Vicar,
WiuAfeld, Beuue d. Nuremberg, Blood.
good, Louise Bonnie, "a few choice raspber.
ries and currants, together with a grape
vine or two Of the best varieties! Shall
beds be formed for permanent. use 10 be
stocked with the best ear ly vegetables, pars-
nips, onions, carrots, beeis, radishes, ,oma.
toes, asparagus, celery, leiture, parsley,
and patches for cucumbers, early squashes,
cabbage, caulihower, MELONS, beans and
peasl These will promote health, and az
ford constant supply OF delicious summer
food, save the money in your purse, and
embelish the ground abou, The house.
SHEEP AND LAMBS require especial care
In February. Leave it optional with them
TO 20 Out or remain under cover; iced lib
orally with hay-sweet clover hay they
relish highly-and give them occasionally
any Juicy roots cut finely, or few beans, or
little corn or barley. They will then
bring strong lambs. Throw into their yards
also, evergrecns Of pine, hemlock-or spruce
boughs.
CATTLE and horses will need the ed,d as
well as timely and liberal feeding mich
cows, especially, will find much benefit
from the use Of the card.
When the plans alluded 10 arc made, the
stock all fed and warm, the wood.pile lusly
in its proportions for another year, and the
children with lessons well connea for the
morow's recitation, are mingling in the
social Conversations around The evening fire
wha, prince or polenia'e but would envy
the farmer his simple and pure delights
his hours Of unalloyed domestic bliss'
!, FEBRuaRY, cold and rough as /, is, is none
too long for households such as iLese.-N
= T. Ec,,,sr