Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-10-27
A Good Dialogue.


Dialogue is that of two farmers on oppo.
site sides of fence. Mr.. Smith, who has
beside him a basket Of uery small potatoes,
is leaning on the fence looking wistfully
over at Mr.. Jones, who is digging splcn'
did crop of big Potatoes. A picture of the
scene was prepared with the original dia.
logue, and should be here, but we have
not the engraving at hand. The dialogue
is pleasing and instructive, 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 soul,
mine are as small as pullets' eggs, and
precious few at that
Mr.. Jones. II manured this field with
trains.
Mr.. Smith.--'Pshaw.-All the Cincin
natl 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
Providence has sent yOu a good crop.
Mr.. Jones-Providenc helps those who
help themselves. used my own brains
on this field.
Mr.. Smith.-So did I mine, and they
are as good as anybody's.
Mr.. Jones All There's the trouble
You know it all yourself: don't, and so
1 get all the outside help 1 can. I've
been collecting other men brains for my
land for twenty years, and you SEQ one
result in this crop.
Mr.. Smith.-Yes, I see the resulf, but
I don't understand it.
Mr.. Jones-Well, We began here 90
years ago, thought myself good farmer,
but l 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 how the big
things were raised, and often I've got a
good hint from neighbor.
Mr.. Smith-I've always been down on
this "book farming" but your crops stag
ger me, they're real knock down argu.
mants. I'm sick of the poor chow gel
for all my work, and am desperate enough
to try anything for Improvement.
Mr.. Joncs-Tll give you my experience
it may aid you. About nineteen years age
| heard that some men who had been bro I
up on farms had clubbed together, and one
of them was going to publish paper
which should consist mainly of accounts o
how different farmers cultivated various
crops, and such like matters. sent foI
the paper and have done so ever since, anc
now have nineteen large volumes, ever,
page of which ] have read, little at ;
time, and the whole has cost the produce
of single acre. Why l am astonished
when think over the ten thousand tho is
and hints, and suggestions 1 have thus
gathered. What blank would be left il
my head, if these thoughts were takeI
away.
Mr.. Smith-But does the practice ot
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 l get from
another, starts new thought in my Owl
mind, and thus I am constantly improving
my own skill and practice. You see,
get all the brains l can from other men
heads, and compost them well in my Owl
head with mixture of common sense, and
then make the application to my fields. Ii
that way, l have manured this crop o
potatoes with plenty of brains. The editor
called here last week on his Western toul
among farmers, and seeing my good crop
he asked me to write out how l have treat
ed this field for years past, and | promised
to do it as soon as my crops are gathered
He will probably print it, as he constant.
prints all such practical matters, and per
haps a hundred thousand persons will rea'
it; and though nobody else may do jus
as I do, many will get new hint, and i'm
prove upon it. You may read it if yo
will.
Mr.. Smith, would like to borrow you
paper.
Mr.. Jones-Retter take it yourself, 70
then yon will be more likely to read it,
You will find hundreds of plain talks abou
various kinds of crops, during sing
year. One hint gave five bushels of cor
on each acre of large field ina sing