Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-04-15


raised on the whole ridge; and all the ma
nure put upon it was some that was manu-
factured
Aud SO the time went on, and John Wal
ton was continually studying how 10 i'm
prove his farm. AT the expiration Of few
years the new scions had grown large and
strong in his orchard, and began 90 bear
fruit. He had taken care Of his troes and
they we're about TO return him interest for
his labor. |
"Gool graciousp calculated Eben Saw
yer, as Ben Grummet and Sam Bancroft
came into his house one cool Autumn eve
ming, and tho three filed their mugs with
new cider, "have you heard Of John Walton's
apples!"
II knew there was man up to look at
EN-" returned Bon; "but haint heard no
more"
"Well-I was there, and heard the whole
ont--so l know--I never would have thought
it. An orchard turn out like thatp
"But how much was it,
"Why-Walton was ofered--cash right
down--,fve hundred an thirty dollars for
the apples he's got on hand and he tells
mo that he has sent nearly two hundred
dollars worth of early fruit off month or
more ago"
1t was wonderful-more than wonderful.
But they had to believe it,
"And jes' look at that twenty-acre field"
said Bancroft "Ten years ago it wouldn't
hardly pay for. mowin' 1t didn't bear
much else but podgum. Now look at it,
Think o the corn an wheat he's raised
there; an this season he cut more'n forty
tuns of good hay from itF'
"But that amt half" interposed Sawyer.
"Look at the stock he keeps; an jes' see
what prices he gets for his COWS and oxen.
We laughed at him when he paid so much
for the new breeds Of sheep and cattle he
got some years ago; but jes' look at 'em now.
Why, he tells me he's cleared over thou
sand dollars this year on his stock"
"At this moment Mr.. Walton came in
He had grown older, and was somewhat
stouter than when he first settled upon the
ridge, and became farmer; and his neigh
bors had ceased to question his capacity, and
had come to honor and respect him.
ave was Jest talkin' about you, Mr.. Wal
ton" said Sawyer
"Ah," returned John, as he took seat
by the fire, 81 hope you found nothing bad
to say of me-"
''Not bit of it. We was talkin' about
the wonderful Improvements you've made
on the old place, and Of the money you
make"
"And do you think it wonderfulT
"But amt itp
"Well," replied Walton, 81 don't know
about that; but I'll tell you what 1 dpknow
| know there is no class Of people in the
world who may study the arts and sciences
to better advantage than farmers; and yet,
am sorry to say, there is no class occupying
the same social position, who read and study
less. Farming is science-one OF the
most deep and intricate--and he must be Q
man Of more than ordinary capacity who
can master it all. have just begun tc
learn what may be learned in farming. II
short, there is no branch of industry in the
world which may not be followed to better
advantage without good education. Blu
farmers must not be afraid of books. They
won't, if they are wise, follow every advice
| which experimentalists give, but they ma!
study, and reason, and experiment for them
selves. So l have done and so l mean t.
; do"
, "Hes right" remarked Ben Grummet
after Walton had gone "What fools We
G was that we didn't so into that graftin' op
Grafton"
"And that undordrainin'," added Ban
. croft.
n "And that muck and compost arrange
Q ment," suggested Sawyer.
}, "Well," said Ben, with a serious face; 81
isn't too late now. They say, it's never to-
$ late to learn; and I'm sure it hadn't ough
to be too late to commence to improve aftc
J, body has learned"
@ "That's So" replied Eben Sawyer.
"True as a book !" added Bancroft
G "And I'm goin' into it,"
$50 am ] j"
a "Aud l."