St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-02-14

and perhaps hundred thousand persons
will read it; and though nobody else may
do just as I do, many will get new hint,
aud improve upon it. You may read it if
you will. 49, =.
Mr.. Smith, would like to borrow
your paper. =: II II -
Mr.: Jones-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. Ono
hint gave five bushels Of corn on each
acre Of large field in single year. Il.
Mr.. Smith, can't afford to take it this
year.
Mr.. Jones-You would think nothing
Of spending two cents week for extra TO-
bacco, 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.
MIR. Smith-What are the politics Of
that paper. 49,. :
Mr.. Jones-It doesn't touch politics.
It is devoted to such subjects as Field and
Garden crops. Animals, ETC., and has,
besides, a good deal about Weman'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 influence on them. I would
sell a dozen bushels of wheat to have my
young people get the good reading in that
paper, but the average price Of one bushel
will pay for it year. My Joen says he
can pay for it easy with the eggs from two
or three hens If was mechanic or
merchant and had only little garden, I
should take the paper to tell me how to
make the best use of the little plot and
If l had not foot of land should still
want it for my wife and children.
Mr.. Smith-Does the editor know any
thing about farming?
Mr.. Jones-The editor who owns and
publishes the paper was brought up on
farm, where he learned to work. He has
studied all the books on farming, and ex-
perimented for years IN the labratory, and
has besides, travelled all over the country
to see what was doing. Then he has sew
eral Observation-Disclosures, Gardeners and
Housekeepers, 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, 50
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. Among these are
plans of buildings, that help one to plan
others; and also many very fine large pic
lures, which are worth more than the cost
of whole volume.
Mr.. Smith, suppose those engravings
and descriptions are partly to help. the edi-
tor sell implements or fertilizers.
Mr.. Jones-Not at all. The editor
keeps nothing of the sort to sell, so that he
may be perfectly free to praise or condemn
anything, according as it may be valuable
or worthless to his readers. You would
laugh to see how he comes down on poor
Inventions, patent manures, and all kinds
of humbugs.
Mr.. Smith-Is the paper adapted to our
part of the country? =.
Mr.. Jones-Exactly. Soils aud crops
and climates differ, but the general prin-
ciples of cultivation are the same: every
where, and here is the benefit Of paper
published for the whole country. Every
reader gets new ideas by learning what is
done somewhere else; and further, I find
that the paper has letters from every part
of the country, and one or more associate
editors in different sections, so that we get
information from many regions ana cur
own too. One thing must mention par
ticularly. The editor is constantly warn
ing his readers against huneb"gs, telling
how sharpers take the advantage of peo-
pie. Why, I was just going to send a
dollar for an article advertised in glowing
colors, when found it shown up as a
humbug in this paper. But con not stop
to talk more now-I have such lot of DO
tatoes to harvest.
Mr.. Smith, wish I had. I must try
that paper year, and see what there is in
it. I can manage two cents week.
Mr. Jones-Never fear. If you don't
find it pays, I'll buy your copies at cost
for my boys to keep.
Mr.. Smith-What did you say the pa
per is called?
Mr.. Jones-The american Agricultu-
rolist. 1t is published in New York
City. The editor, though one of our
country farmers, and living in the coun.
try, finds he can publish it cheaper there,
where printing, and paper, and mailing "a
cilities are all convenient.
Mr.. Smith-How shall I get it?
Mr.. Jones-Simply inclose dollar bill
in letter, giving your name, Post Office,