Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-28
Mark Twafn's Report OF the Proceed-
tngs Of the Farmers' Club.

10 INFORM ultD UOW W tuoAo u rs tooas
DIR. Slow had been practical farmer
for the last six weeks, and in all the va
ried agricultural experience no such arti-
Gle as hogs root bad ever come under
his notice. What MAS iti Was il edi-
blsa Was it useful in any wayi or was
IT rs be more than suspected, another
worthless humbug devised by the sharp
era to dsfraud US practical farmersi He
knew not whether it was propogatsd by
seeds, or by cuttings, but he would adj
wise Mr.. Quinn to be shy Of hogs root.
especially if it was new tangled or
high priced tuber.
Mr. Moksr, the agricultural writer,
explained the anatomy Of the-hog's pro-
boseis. 1t is designed for subteFrsnean
foraging, by process vulgarly called
roofing, TO which Mr.. Quinn's inquiry
probably referred. Being delicate or
gan, il is liable 10 injury. He would
recommend that Mr. Quinn wipe his hogs
nose. If he finds it red, he may be sure
il is tender and needs protection BY a
metallic shield. Some resort to the
strategic device of inserting wire ring
in the hogs nose, 10 his efforts to remove
which he would naturally thrust his snout
into the soil, and thus root unwittingly.
That was playing it rather low on the
hog, aud the metallic shield WAS prsfera-
bic ON the score of fair dealing and phi.
lanthropy.
Mr. Greeley exhibited pumpkin of
his own raising. As it embodied bis sol.
itary and crowning success, after several
years of Encouraging failure in pumpkin
culture, the club surrounded il with un-
covered hea and mingled emotions of
surprise, admiratioa and envy. 1t was
a superb fruit, and when Mr.. G.'s hat
was placed on it, to illustrate its size and
symmetry, the hat and pumpkin seemed
so perfectly adapted to each other, and
together produced an effect so startling,
that several enthusiastic members swors
thew would have known who raised that
pumpkin if they had seen it anywhere.
1t is to be photographed by Quincy,
and next years Tribune subscribers will
receive copies. Tho pumpkin was the
Hattering product of one bushel of seed
planted on the farm in Champaign
Soon after bIossomiDg the vine manifes-
tad an inclination to wither. 1t WAS
thereupon trausplaated to large flower
pot and removed to the town residence
of its founder. For some time it pined
and dropped, and they sat up nights
with it, expecting that every moment
would be its last, but every moment
turned out not to be its last, and with
careful nursing it finally rallied and came
up to maturity, as cherished and tough
pumpkin as ever grew.
DR.. Sixhanmers suggested that the
result of Mr.. G.'s indomitabls struggle
with this pumpkin shows how every city
family could provide itself with pump
kin pie. He hoped to see the day when
every window sill, in every city, would
be adorned with fructifying pumpkin pots,
and every workman's cottage EMPOWERED
in pumpkin vines.
Thomas Dodd, of New Hampshire.
writes to the club that he is fifty years
old, infirm with consumption, has .
large family, ten dollars in money, and
wants TO know what to Go.
Mr.. Moker--Go out to Greeley Col
onysand invest in our irrigating ditch.
Mr.. Layman-Buy Texas rancho or
Florida orange grove.
DR.. Sumble-His health requires
light farming in bracing climate. Let
him start an indigo plantation in Alaska.
Mr.. GreeIey--He mustn't come to
New York. His $40 wouldn't last q
wear; but out west be can invest it and
grow up with the country. If had
gone West with $40 at bis age should
be happy man now, with two suits OF
respectable garments, an Office. and
conscience guiltless of distracting tariff
and farming essays.
Mr.. Hsrrings invited the club to visit
bis farm, thirty miles up the river. next
Wednesday, and inspect a horse Tadish
that be had pursuadsd to vsgetats. The
ground was titled, sub soiled and top
dressed. He had expended upon that
plant only half ton of bono dust, one
cart load of ashes and barrel of guano;
ye. in spite of his neglect, it bad within
q year grown to the size of his little
finger. His foreman would explain to
the clerk the pecuIiat difficulty of rsis.
ing this rare exotic. Hewould treat the
club to regular farmers dinner. the
materials for which he had already en-.
gagged at the city market.
The club accepted and adjourned.---
Buffalo Express.