The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-11-14

The Potatoes they are small,
Over there, over there. - Old Song.
Mr.. Smih-How is it, ncighbor Jones,
that your potatoes are so large and fine,
while just over the fence, on similar wiI,
mine are as small as pullets' eggs, and pre-
cious few at that +?
Mr.. Joaes-I manured this field with
brains
Mr.. Smith-Pshaw. All 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.
Mr.. Smith-Nonsense-now don't make
fun of me because I'm unlucky, and Provi-
dence has sent y0u good crop.
Mr.. yOnes-Providence helps those who
help themselves. l used my own brains
on this field.
Mr.. Smith-So did mine, and they arc
as good as anybody's.
Mr.. Jones-Ah! There's the trouble.
You know it all yourself: don't, and So
get all the outside help can. I've been
collecting other mems brains for nv land
for twenty years, and you SEE ono result IN
this crop. ..... ...
Mr.. SmiM-Yes, see the result, but
don't understand it.
Mr.. Jones-Well, when We began here
20 years ago, thought myself good far
mer, but believed others had good ideas
too, and made it my business to get at
their thoughts some found in agricultural
books and papers, others picked up at the
County Fairs, by asking hoso the big things
were raised, and often I've got good hint
from neighbor. ...
Mr. Smith-Fve always been down on
this "book farming" but your crops stag
ger me, they're real knock down arguments.
I'm sick of the poor show get for all ny
work, and am desperate enough to try any
thing for improvement.
Mr.. Jones-Tll give you my experience !;
it may aid you. About nineteen years ago,
l heard that some men who had been bro't
up on farms had dubbed together, and one
of them was going to publish paper, which
should consist mainly of accounts of aoD
differedt farmers cultivated various crops,
and such like matters. sent for the paper
and have done so every year since, and now
| have nineteen large volumes, every page
of which have read, little at time, and
the whole has not cost the produce of sim
gle acre. Why am astonished when
think over the ten thoughts, and hints, and
suggestions have thus gathered. What a
blank would be left in my head, if these
thoughts were taken away.
Mr.. Smith-But does the practice of far
mers on other kinds of soil and with diff.
ferent climate, suit your wants?
nv. JOaes-Why no, not exactly, per-
haps. But then, every thought get from
another, stGrts a ne,o thought in mn 0,on
mind, and thus am constantly improving
my own skill and practice. You see, l get
all the brains can from other mems heads,
and compost them well in my own head
with mixture Of common sense, and then
make the application to my fields. In that
way, have manured this crop of potatoes
with plenty of brains. The editor called
here last week on his Western tour among
farmers, and seeing my good crops, he asked
me to write out just how 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, and perhaps a
hundred thousand personswill read it and
though nobody else may do just as I do.
many will get new hint, and improve up.
on it. You may read it il you will.
Mr.. Smith-I would like to borrow your
paper.
Mr.. 0nes-Better take it yourself, for
then you will be more likely to read it. You
will find hundreds of plain talks about va
rious kinds Of crops, during o single year.
One hint gave five bushels Of corn on each
acre Of large field in single year.
SmiM-I can't afford to take it this year.
-Vn,, v.n,,1l <hsnlx "a
spending two cents week for extra tObac-
co, or cigar, or candy, and that's all the
paper will cost. How little week it costs
to supply yourself and family with large
amount of information through any good
paper. .a
Smith-What are the politics Of that pa
per?
Jones-It doesn't touch politics. It is
devoted to such subjects as Field and Gar.
den crops, Animals, etc, and has, besides,
q good deal about woman's 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 as is too often printed for them.
but information that will have good influ.
ence on them. would sell dozen bush.
els Of wheat to have my young people get
the good reading in that paper, but the av-
erage price Of one bushel will pay for it q
year. My John says he can pay for it easy
with the eggs from two or three hens. II
| was mechanic or merchant and had only
a little garden, should take the paper to
tell mo how to make the best use Of the lit
tie plot; and If had not foot of land I
should still want itfor my wife and children.