The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1860-11-01
4 GOOD DIALOGUE.

rThe scene Of the following Interesting Di
aloeue 10 that Of two farmers on opposite
sides Of fence Mr.. Smith, who has beside
inn on the fence locking wistfuliy over .
Mr.. Jones, who is dogging = splendid crop o.
big Potatoes. A picture of the scene was
prepared with the original dialogue, and
should be here, but we have not the engrav-
ing at hand. The dialogue is pleasing and
instructive, and should be read by every
one.
sThc Pct atoes, they are small.
Over there, over there."-ULd Song.
Mr. Smi,h-How is it, neighbor Jones, that
your potatoes are so large and fne whilst
just over the fence, on similar soil, mine are as
small rs pulle;s eggs and precious few ut
that2
Mr.. Jones.-I manured this field with
brains.
Mr.. Smith.-'Pshaw.-AK the Cincinnati
hog-killers couldn't supply brains enough for
this ten acre field.
Mr. Jones-I used human brains, Of which
there are plenty.
Nr. .-Nonsense-Now don't make
fun of me because I'm ualucky, and Provi-
dence has sent you good crop.
Mr.. Jones.-Providence helps those who
help themselves. llsedsmy oun brains on
this field.
Mr.. Smith.-so did mine, and they arelas
good rs anybodys.
Mr.. Jones.--Ah There's the trouble. You
know it all yourself: don't, and 50 | get all
the outside help lean. I've been collecting
other mems brains for my land for twenty
years, and you see the result In this crop.
Mr.. Smith.-Yes, see the result, but don't
understand it.
years ago, l thought myself good farmer,
but believed others had good ideas, too, and
l made it my business to get at their thoughts;
some found in agricultural books and pa
pers, others picked up at the County Fair.
by as king hov the big things were ,aiscd
and often I've got good hint from . neigh.
bnr.
alr. Smith.-Tve always been down on this
book farming" but your crops stagger me-
they re real knock down arguments. I'm
sick Of the poor show get for all my work
and am desperate enough to try any thing
for improvement.
Mr.. Jones.-lll give you my experience
it may aid you. About nineteen years ago
heard that some men who had been brought
up on farm had clubbcd together, and one
Of them was going to publish paper, which
should consist mainly of accounts Of hoU diff
fcrent farmers cultivated various crops, and
such like matters. sent for the paper and
have done SO every year siuce, and how
hare nineteen large volumes, every page OF
which have read, a little at time, and the
whole has not cost the produce of'a single
acre. Why am astonished when think
over the ten Thousand Thoughts, and hints,
and suggestions have thus gathered. What
blank would be left in my head, if these
thoughts were taken away.
Mr.. Smith But does the practice of farm
crs on other kinds of soil and with differ
cut climate suit your wants?
Mr.. Jones-Why no, not exactly, perhaps.
But then, every thought get from another
starts a neU thought il my oscn nlisd, and thus
am constantly improving my own skill and
practice. You see, get all the brains can
from other mems heads. compost them we'll in
my own head with q mixture Of common
sense and then make the application to my
field. In this way, | have ma
nured this crop ofpotatoes with plenty
of brains. The editor called here last
week on his Western tour among farm
ers, and seeing my good crops, he ask
ed me to write out Just ho,o ! have
treated this field for years past, and ]!
promised to do it as soon as my crops
are gathered. He will probably print
it, as he constantly prints all such
practical matters, aud perhaps a hum
dred thousand persons will read it; and
though nobody else may do just as |
do, many will get new hint and i'm
prove upon it. You may read it if you
will.
Mr.. Smith-I would like to borrow
your paper.
lNr. Jones-Better take it yourself,
for then you will be more likely to read
it. You will find hundreds of plain
talk about various kinds of crops, du-
ring single year, One hint gave five
bushels of corn on each acre Of a large
field in single year.
Mr.. SMITH can't afford to take it
this year.
Mr.. Jones-You would think MOTH
ing of spending two cents week for
extra tobacco, or cigar, or candy,
and that's all the paper will cost. How
lille week it costs to supply yourself
and family with large amount Of in
formation through any good paper.
Mr.. Smith-What are the politics
Of that paper?
Mr.. Jones-It doesn't touch politics.
It is devoted to such subjects as Field
and Garden crops, Animals &C., and
has, besides, good deal about Wom-
ans Work, which wife says is worth
more than ten times the few pounds of
butter it costs to pay for the paper
Then there is also department. for the
young folks containing many things
which please the children-not mere
trashy stuff, such rs is too often print
ed for them, but information that viii
have good influence on them. I
would sell dozen bushels Of wheat to
have my young people get the good
reading in the paper, but the average
price Of one bushel will pay for it 4
year. My John says he can pay for it
easy with the eggs from two or three
hens. If I was 4 mechanic or merchant
and had only little garden, l should
take the paper to tell me how to make
the best use Of the little plot; and if /
kod MT : fnnA nf 1auI \ .hc,,11 ct;l1