The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-11-21
A GOOD DIALOGUE.

The scene of the following interesting
Dialogue is that of two farmers on oppo
site sides of fence. Mr.. Smith, who
has beside him basket Of very small po
toes, is leaning on the fence looking wist
fully over at Mr.. Jones, who is digging
q splendid crop Of big potatoes. A pic
ture of the scene was prepared with the
original dialogue, and should be here, but
we have not the engraving at hand. The
dialogue is pleasing and instructive, and
and should be read by every one.
"The Potatoes, they are small
Over there, over there. - Old Song.
Mr.. Smith-How is it, neighbor Jones,
that your potatoes are so large and fine,
while just over the fence, on similar soil,
mine are as small as pullets eggs, and
precious few at that?
Mr.. Jones-I manured this field with
brains.
Mr.. Smith-'Pshaw! All the Gin
cinnati hog-killers couldn't supply brains
enough for this ten-acre field.
Mr.. Joncs-I used human brains, Of
which they are plenty.
Mr.. Smith-Nonsense. Now don't
make fun of me because Pm unlucky, and
Providence has sent you a good crop.
Mr.. Jones-Providence helps those
who help themselves. l used my own
brains on this field.
Mr.. Smith-So did / mine, and they
are as good as anybcdy's.
Mr.. Jones-Ah! There's the trouble.
You know il all yourself. j don't, and
so get all the outside help ! can. I've
been collecting other mems brains for my
land for twenty years, and YOU see one re-
suit in MiS crop.
Mr.. Smith-Yes, l see the result, but
| don't understand it.
Mr.. Jones-Well, when we began
here, twenty years ago, thought myself
good farmer, but l believed others had
good ideas, too, and made it my busi-
ness to get at their thoughts; some l
found in agricultural books and papers,
others picked up at the County Fairs,
by asking hon the big things were raised,
and often I've got good hint from a
neighbor.
Mr.. SmiM-Tve always been down
on this "book farming" but your crops
stagger me, they're real knock-down ar
guments. I'm sick of the poor show l
get for all my work, and am desperate
enough TO try anything for improvement.
Mr.. Jones-Pll give you my expert
ence: it may aid you. About nineteen
years ago l heard that some men who
had been brought up on farms had club
bed together, and one of them was going
to publish paper, which should consist
mainly of accounts of hoao different farm
ers 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 a 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 l have thus
gathered. What blank would be left
in my head, if these thoughts we're taken
away.
Mr.. Smith-But does the practice of
farmers on other kinds of soil and with a
different climate, suit your wants?
Mr.. Jones--Why no, not exactly per-
haps. But then, every thought / get
from another, starts new thought 10 ny
own mind, and thus / am constantly i'm
proving my own skill and practice. You
see ! get all the brains l 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 manurod
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 10 write out
just hoW | have treated this field for years
past, and promised to do it as soon as
as my crops are gathered. He will
probably print it, as he constantly prints
all such practical matters, and perhaps a
hundred thousand persons will read it;
and though nobody else may do just as
| do, many will get new hint, and i'm