The Portland daily press., 1876-03-25
An Agricutu raj Editor.

/ did not take the temporary editorship of
an agricultural paper without misgiving.
Neither would a Ian dsman take command of
ship without misgivings. But was in cir
cumstauces that made the salary an object.
The regular editor of the paper was going off
for holiday and accepted the terms he
offered and took his place.
The sensation of being at work again was
luxurious, and / wrought all the week with
unf1agging pleasure. We went to press. and
/ waited a day, with some solcitude, to see
whether my effort was going to attract
any notice. As left the Office, toward sun
down, a group of men ard boys at the foot of
the stairs dispersed with one impulse, and
heard one of them say, "That's himv' was
naturally pleased at this incident. The next
morning found similar group at the foot
of the stairs. and scattering couples and inei-
viduals standing here and there in the street
and over the way watching me with interest.
The group scattered and fell back as ap-
preached. and / heard man say, "Look at
his eyes! / pretended not to observe the
notice 1 was attracting, but secretly I was
pleased with it, and was purposing to write
an account of it to my aunt. went up the
short fight Of Stairs and heard CHEEKY voices
and ringing laugh as drew near the door,
which opened and caught glimpse of two
young rural looking men, whose faces
and then they both plunged through the win
dow with great crash. l was surprised.
In about half an hour an old gentleman,
with flowing beard and fine but rather
austere face, entered and sat down at my in
vitation. He seemed to have something on
his mind. He took off bis hat and set it on
the floor and got out of it a red silk handker-
chief and a copy of our paper.
He put the paper on his lap, and while he
polished his spectacles with his handker-
chief, be said, "Are you the new editor?'
/ said was.
''Have you ever edited an agricultural paper
before?"
''No,' 'said /, sthis is my first attempt"
''Very likely. Have you had any expert
ence in agriculture, practically?'
'No; believe have not"
"Some instinct told me so," said the old
gentleman, putting on his spectacles and
looking over them with asperity, while he
folded his paper into a convenient shape. II
wish to read you what must have made me
have that inst;nc'. 1t was this editorial.
Listen and see If it were you that wrote it:
'sTurnips should never be pulled; it Injuries
them. 1t is much better to serd boy up
and let him shake the tree"
''Now, what do you think of that ?-for 1
really suppose you wrote it,"
"Think oft? Why, 1 think it is good. I
think it Is sense. l have no doubt that every
year millions and millions of bushels of tur-
nips are spoiled in this township alone by be-
ing pulled in a half.ripe condition, when if
they had sent a boy up to shake the tree
''Shake your grandmother! Turni2s don't
grow on trees!'
sob, they don't, don't they? Well, who
said they did The language was intended to be
fgurative-wholly fgurative. Anybody that
knows anything will know that 1 meant that
the boy should shake the vine."
Then this old person got up and tore his
paper all into small shreds, stamped on them
and broke several things with his cane, and
said did not know as much as COW; and
then went out and banged the door after him,
and, in short, acted in such way that fan
cied he was displeased about something. But
not knowing what the trouble was, l could
not be any help to him.
Pretty soon after this, long, cadaverous
creature, with lank locks hanging down to
his shoulders and weeks stubble bristling
from the hills and valleys of his face, darted
within the doors, and halted motionless, with
finger on lips and head ond body beDt in lis
tening attitude. No sound was heard. Still
he listened. No sound. Then he turned
the key in the door, and came deliberately
tiptoeing toward me till he was within long
reaching distance OF me, when he stopped
and after scanning my face with intense in
terest for awhile, drew folded copy Of our
paper from his bosom and said:
''There, you wrote that. Read it to me
quick. Relieve me, l suffer-"
l read as follows, and as the sentences fell
from my lips could see the relief come.
could see the drawn muscles relax, and the
anxiety go out of the face, and rest and peace
steal over the features like the merclful
moollght over desolate landscape:
1.-The euano is fine bird; but great care
IS necessary in rearing it. 1t should not be
imported earlier than June or later than Sep
tember. In the Winter it should be kept in
warm place, where it can hatch QUE its
young.
II is evident that We are 10 have a back
ward season for grain. Therefore it will be
well for the farmer 10 begin setting out his
cornstaiks, and planting his buchwheat cakes
in July instead of August.
Concerning the pumpkin. This berry is
a favorite with the natives of the interior OF
New England. who prefer it TO the goose.
berry for The making of fruit cake, and who