Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-10-12
AGRICULTURAL.
Contributions to hi; department should be Ad-
dressed to j. BLAIR READ, Cltardeld, Pa.
KNOWLEDGE CLEANED FROM SMALL
OBJECTS.
An EssAr nEAp HEFoRE LAwRtScg GaASGE ~
MISS nAGGlE REAn.

What world of knowledge lies
around us if our finite minds could but
behold it. Each plant, leaf, and tiny
blade of grass has mission of its own,
while we, boholding them, scarcely
ever think Of their uses and benefits
to us. Farming is considered very
dull business by many who engage in
it, while every farm isJndeed little
world in itself, yet a much larger world
than we will ever be able to become
acquainted with,
A lady once remarked "There is
no incentive to farm life. 1t is all hum.
drum, routine hard work, with moth.
ing TO stimulate the mind" Let us
see if on farm is not the place where
the mind can have free exercise. How
many who live on farms can tell how
many species Of plants, flowers and
grasses grow around thom their par.
ticular uses and adaptation to different
soils; what plants are indigenous and
what are not2 Suppose we ask how
many kinds of birds and insects arc to
bc found on your farm; their names
and habits; whether they are injuri-
ous to you or not; upon what trees
or plants do they live; when and how
often they come, and how long they
stay, could you tell me2 These are
few OF the many questions We might
ask. Instead Of tho farm being dull
place, the farmer is often dull "What
a thought that was when God thought
of tree" exclaimed a philosopher.
We need not ask for objects from which
to gather lessons Let us notice some
Of the uses Of the leaf The leaves
pump water from the ground through
the thousands of tubes in the stem Of
the tree and send it into the atmos.
phero in the form OF unseen mist, to
be again condensed and fall in showers.
This very water, wero il not for the
leaves, would sink into the earth and
find its way to the sea. The leaf works
to send the rills and streams down the
mountain and over the plain. 1t has
been demonstrated that every square
inch OF leaf surface lifts .O35 of an
ounce every twenty.four hours, A
large forest tree moistens about five
acres OF foliage, or deposits 6,272, $50 |
square inches of water, equivalent to |
eight barrels in twenty.iour hours.
The trees on an acre give 500 barrels.
An acre of grass, clover or grain would .
yield about the same amount. The
leaf carries immense quantities OF elec.
tricity from the earth to the clouds,
and from the clouds to the Garth
rather dangerous business transport. |
ing lightning, but the pointed edges of
the leaf are particularly fitted for this
work. Every leaf is q miniature pic.
turo Of the plant upon which it grows,
tho plant pattern is represented in the
leaf All the leaves of the forest oin
in a general murmur to repeat in our
ears the prophetic warning, ave all |
do fade as the leaf" and we are so
prone to thrust this truth out of mind |
as comes on each fading autumn.
God spreads before us on each plain
and hillside a great parable in which |
our own death and decay arc repre-.
sented in such a vivid manner that he
who runs may read, and he who reads
must reflect and profit
Like leaves on trees the race Of man Is found.
Now green 10 youth, now vithered In the ground. |
Another race the following age supplies,
They fall successive, aud successive rise,
So generations in their course decay,
SO flourish these "hen those have passed away >"