The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-04-01

formed the handles, and not far from
the pointed end ring was fastened, to
which the team was hitched. | did not
see it at work, but | have no doubt it
answered its purpose very well, viz:
of turning over u thin white soil. |
came across it whilst cunning, and
could hardly believe so rude an nipple
ment could exist and (what is more) be
used in this progressive age.
Touraine is also famous for its fine
turkeys and geese, which are kept in
large ilocks, and watched by children
who drive th2m 10 the grain stubble
during the day and return with them at
night. In village | visited, found
the farmers hauled their grain to Il
place or building which ! will call an
exchange, where they disposed Of it
themselves to millers and others, thus
doing away with the middle-men, the
great bette noire Of the grangerS. Speak
ing of cunning, | must tell you that no
one is allowed to gun in France without
a permit, which must be purchased OF
the authorities, and no minor can carry
Il gun without the written permission Of
his parents or guardian. When gun
ming you are obliged to carry your per-
nit with you, for if accosted by one of
the rural police and you cannot show it
YOU are liable to be arrested and fined.
The little saw Of Italy, left the inn
preston that it was very fertile land,
the fields near Naples being covered
with luxuriant growth Of grain and
vegetables OF all kinds, for the latter
are CONSUMED i'll large quantities.
have seen children eat Il raw carrot
with as much relish as one would here
eat piece Of bread and butter. In
Germany | was struck by the promi-
nent part taken by the women, not
only in farm work, but in labor Of all
kinds. Saxony, in whose capital, Dres-
! den. | lived some months, Is noted for
its fine wheat and wool, and yet in 1868
it was the practice to cut wheat with a
sickle and women did the most Of it. |
once saw two women dragging brush
/ harrow across Il patch Of wheat, and
must say have never seen a piece OF
| ground in better order One day while
out driving | passed Il barn at its open
door stood a woman throwing wheat in
| the air to be winnowed by the wind.
I The grain fell back into large, shovel
/ shaped basket, which she held against
/ her stomach. in SaXony woman not
only harrow but saw and split wood in
the streets of the towns, and ii is a com
mon sight to see a bare legged, brawny
woman, with a strap over her shoulder,
hel ping two dogs or one pull a small
| cart load of coal to town. In some
parts Of Germany fruit trees are planted
for miles along the public roads and the
fruit is never disturbed, but allowed to
ripen, when it is gathered by the vii
layers.
The Danes are good farmers who
turn their attention to the products Of
the dairy, and with such care and sue
cess that they have obtained world
wide reputation. The butter they make
is so fine that large quantities are sent
to China, which empire, believe draws
its chief supply from Denmark. The
COWS are kept in long stables, two cows
in each, and on some farms there are
several hundred COWS, requiring a small
army of milkmaids to attend to them.
The COWS are mostly fed in the stable or
soiled, as we call it.
When a young Dane wishes to learn
farming, no matter what his position, he
must first apprentice himself to some in
telligent, practical farmer, and there
take the part Of regular farm hand
and work a such for several wears
Would it not be good idea to intro
ducc something like it among American
farmers?
One feature Of country life abroad
that | would like to see introduced here.
is their intelligent and thorough system
OF mending the roads. Most of them
are turnpike, kept in the very bestorder,
and in Switzerland the mountains are
travcrsed by roads which are the wonder
and admiration of all who Use them,
and are by no means the least attractive
feature Of that delightful country, and
go to prove more than anything else the
thoroughneSs and intelligence OF the
Swiss people.
In conclusion, let me add that | re-
collect of seeing nowhere, land of better
natural quality than in good old Cecil,
and | am sure that with its advantages
Of plenty Of pure water and kind soil,
which fairly implores us to bring it to a
level with the best abroad, we can after
Il while, with proper management, make
our county not only famous for hay, but
fine dairy products, as well as choice
cattle and sheep.
ADAM r. MAGRAw.