The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-11-24

Dialogue is that of two farmers on opposite
sides Of fence. Mr. Smith, who has beside
him basket of rcry small potatoes. is lean.
ing on the fence looking wistfully over at
Mr.. Jones, who is digging splendid crop of
big potatoes. picture Of of the scene was
prepared with the original dialogue, and
should he here. but We have not the engraving
at hand. The dialogue is pleasing and
instructive, and should he read by every
The Potatoes, they are small.
Over there, over there. "-OM Song
Mr.. SmiM-Elow is it, ncighbor Jones,
that your potatoes are so large and fine,
while just over tho fence, on similar soil. mine
are as small as pulets' eggs. and precious few
at that?
Mr.. Joncs.--I MANFRED this field with
brains.
Mr.. Smith. --Pshaw.-Al the Cincinnati
hog. killers couldn't supply brains enough for
this ten acre field.
Mr.. Jones.-I use human brains, o. which
there are plenty.
Mr.. Smith. Nonsense. don't make
fun Of me because I'm unlucky, and Provi-
dence has sent you a good crop.
Mr.. Jones Providence helps those who
help themselves. | usv my owM brains on
this field.
Mr.. Smith, So did I mine, and they are
as good as anybodys.
Mr.. Jones. All! there's the trouble
You know it al yourself: don't, and so
get all the out side help l can. I've been
collecting other mems brains for MY land for
twenty years, and you see one result In this
crop.
i1r. Smith. Yes, see the result, but /
don't understand 1t.
Mr.. Jones. when we began here %
years ago. thought my selfa good farmer.
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 Comfy
Fairs, by asking hop the big things were
raised aud often I've got good hint from d
neighbor.
AR. Smith, I've always been down on this
" book farming" but your crops starccr me,
they're real knock down arguments. I'm
sick Of the poor show &c! for all my 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 |
heard that some men who had been brough,
up on farms had cuol"d together. and one
of them was going to publish paper, which
should consist mainly Of accounts Of ho,c diff
ftrcnt 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 rage of
| which have read. n little at a time, aud the
whole has not cost the produce Of a single
acre. Why am astonlSh.d when | think
over the ten thousand thoughts, and hints,
and suggest ions | have thus gathered
What blank would be left in my head, if
these thoughts were taken away.
Mr.. Spufh. Bnt does the practice of far.
ners on other kinds Of soil and with a diff.
fcrrnt climate, snit your wants!
Mr.. jones'. Why no not exactly perhaps
But then, every thought get Fl, NJ another.
starts ntr Thought IN my O,rn mind, and thus
am constantly improving my own skill ard
practice. You see. get ali the brains can
f'on other mems heads, and compost them
well in my own head with mixture Of com.
mon sense, and then make the application to
my fields. In that way. have manfred
this crop of potatoes with plenty of brains.-
The editor called here last week on his West.
EN- tour among farmers, and icing my good
crops. he asked the to write out Just hou |
have treated this field for years past, and |
promised to do as 1t soon as my crops are
gathered. lie will probably print it, as be
constantly prints all such practical matters.
and perhaps hundred thousand persons will
read 1t !; und though nobody else may do lust
as do, many will get new hint. and i'm
prove upon it. You may real it if you will.
Nh. Smith, would like t., borrow your
paper.
AIR. Jones.-Bctter take it yourself, for
then you will be more likely to read it, You
will find hundreds of plain talks about vari.
Gus kinds of crops, during single year.
One hint gave five bushels of corn ON each
acre OF a large field in single year.
Mf. Smut--1 can't afford to take it this
year.
.Hr Jones.-You would think nothing of
spending two crntsa week for extra tobacco,
or cigar, Or candy, and that's all the paper
will cost. How hHle week it costs to sup
ply yourself and family with large all cunt
Of information through any good paper.
Mr.. Smith. What are the politics Of that
paper!
Mr.. Jones.-It doesn't touch politics 1t
| is devoted to such subjects as Field and Gar
den crops, Animals, etc, and has besides,
good deal about Woman 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 MS
is too often printed for them. but information
that will have good influence on them.
would sell dozen bushels of wheat to have
my young people get the good reading in that
paper. but the average price OF one bushc
will pay for 1t a year. My John says he eau
pay fort easy with the eggs from two or
three hens. IL was n mechanic, or merchant
and had only little garden. | shou Id take
the paper to tel me how to make the bcs,
use of the little plot; and if had not a foot
of land should still want it for my wife and
children.
Mr. SmiM.-Does the editor know anything
about farming!
MIR. Jones.-The editor who owns and
publishes the paper vas brought up on farm.
where he learned to work. lie has studied
ali the books on farming, and experimented
for Yeas in the laboratory, and has besides,
Travelled all over the country to see what was
doing. Then he has several associates
Farmers. Gardeners and Housekcepers, who
know what they write about, and among
them all they do gather up wonderful lot Of
information every year. The Language, too.
is so plain. SO like talking with you. that
enjoy reading it. Then. too, every paper has
engravings. which show one exactly how
animals and plants. and Implements, and
household furniture look, much better than
words could describe them Ammo thrsa