Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-11-16


pleasing and instructive, and should be read by
| every one.]
1.-THE potatoes they are small,
Over there, over there.''-OId Song.
Mr.. Smitk-How is it, neighbor jones, that
your potatoes are SO large and fine, while just
over the fence, on similar soil, mine are small
as pullet's eggs, and precious few at that z
Mr. Jones-I manured this field with
brains.
Mr.. S. .-Pshaw. ALI the CinoinciunAti hog
killers couldn't supply brains enough for thls
ten acre field.
Mr. il used human brains, of which
there are plenty.
Mr.. S.-Nonsense; now don't make fun of
me because I'm unlucky, and Providence has
sent you good crop.
Mr.. Providence helps those who help
themselves. used my oton braaHs on this
field
Mr.. $50 did mine, and they are good
as anybodys.
Mr.. J. Alb, there's the trouble You know
it all yourself | don's, and SO get all the
outside help / can. I've been collecting 9th
er mems brains for my land for twenty years,
and yon see the result in this crop.
Mr. S. Yes, see the result, bat don't un-
derstand it.
Mr.. J. Well, when We began here twenty
years ago, thought myself good farmer,
but believed others had good ideas, too, aud
I made ii ny 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 Of
ten Pve got good hint from neighbor.
Mr.. S. I've 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 des
perste enough to try anything for improve
inert
MIR. j. III give you my experience; it may
aid you. About nineteen years ago, heard
that some men who had been brought up on
farms had dubbed together, and one of them
was going to publish paper, which should
consist mainly of accounts of holC different
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 l have
read, little at time, aud the whole has not
cost the produce of single acre. Why am
astonisbed 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.. S. But does the practice of farmers on
ether kinds of soil and with diferent climate
suit your wants
Mr.. j. Why, no, not exactly, perhaps
But then, every thought / get from another,
starts a neU thought IN my oaOn mind, and thus
| am constantly improving my own skill and
practice. You see, get all the brains can
from other mems heads, and compost them well
/ in my own head With a mixture of common
sense, and then make the application to my
fields. In that way, | have mauured this crop
of potatoes with plenty of brains. The edi-
tor called here last week on his Western tour
among farmers, and seeing my good crops, he
asked me to write just hoO have treated this
field for years past, aud | promised to do it as
soon as my crops are gathered. He will prob
ably print it, as he constantly prints all such
practical matters, and perhaps a hundred
thousand persons will read it; and though no.
body else may do just as do, many will get
new hint. and improve upon it. You may
read it if you will.
Mr.. s. would like to borrow your paper
Mr. J. Better take it yourself, for then you
will be more likely to read it. You will find
| hundreds of PLAIN talks about various kinds of
crops, during single year. One hint gave
five bushels of corn more on each acre of a
large field in single year.
Mr.. y. / can't afford to take it this year.
Mr.. j. You would make nothing of spend
ing two cents week for extra tobacco, or a
J cigar, or candy, and that's all the paper will