The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-04-11
Daniel Webster on Farming.

WASHINGTON, March 13, 1922.
JOHN TAYLOR: I am glad to hear from
you again, and to learn that you are well,
and that your teams and tools are ready
for springs work, whenever the weather
will allow you to, begin. I sometimes
read books on farming, and I remembe,
that O sensible old author advises far
mers "to plow naked and to SOW
naked" By this he means that there If
no use in beginning springs work till the
weather is warm, that farmer may
throw aside his winter clothes and roll uI
his sleeves. Yet he says we ought to be-
gin as early in the year as possible. He
wrote some very pretty verses on the
subject, which, as far as / remember,
run thus: .. .'''':'~ ....' ..!', ..
While yet the spring is young, while earth un'
binds -. ...... I'D. ;..-,
The frozen bosom to the western winds;
While mountain SHOWS dissolve against tho sun,
And streams, yet new, from precipices run
Zen il this early dawning Of the year, 4.
Produce the plow and yoke the sturdy steer,
And goad him till he smoke beneath his toll,
And the bright share is buried in the soil.
John Taylor, when you read these
lines, do you not see. the snow melting and
the little streams beginning to run down
the southern slopes Of your Punchbrook
pasture, and the new grass starting and
growing in the trickling water, all green,
bright and beautiful And do you not
see your Durham oxen smoking from
heat and perspiration as they draw along
your great breaking-up plow, cutting and
turning over the tough sward in your
meadow in the great field? The name
of this sensible author is Virgil, and he
gives farmers much other advice, some OF
which YOU have been following all this
winter without even knowing that he had
given it. .......J.. ,....,,.. =. ..L.,.
But when cold weather, heavy SHOWS md rain
The laboring farmer in his house restrain,
Let him forecast his work with timely care,
Which else is huddled when the skies are fair
Then let him mark the sheep, and whet the
Co.,. shining share, ,
Or hollow trees for boats, or number DER
His sacks, or measure bis increasing store;
Or sharpen stakes, and mend each rake and
fork, ......
So to be ready, in good time, to work;
Visit his crowded barns at early morn;
Look to his granary, and shell his corn;
Give good breakfast to his numerous kline,
His slivering poultry and his fat'ning swine.
And MIR. Virgil says some other things
which you understand up at Franklin as
well as ever he did: '... -.!' ''..,''
In chilling winter swains enjoy their store,
Forget their hardships and recruit for more
The farmer to full feasts invites his friends,
And what he got with pains, with pleasure
spends; ,...'
Draws chairs aronnd the FIRE, and tells once
more :...
Stories which often haye been told before;
Spreads clean table with things good to cot,
And adds some moistening to his fruit and
meat.
They praise his hospitality, and feel
They shall sleep better after such meal.
John Taylor, by the time you have
got through this you will have read
enough. The sum Of all is, be ready for
your springs work as soon as the weather
becomes warm enough, and then put
your hand to the plow and look not
back. ....', lie. DANIEL WEBSTER.