Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-29

y
universally depleted What. then. ar
| the reasons why shallow blowing has beer
| almost universally accompanied with sucl
disastrous results. First, shallow plow
ing permits the soil to dry out and be
come hard and in this condition the plan
food contained in the surface cannot b,
utilized by the growing crop and meagr
growth results. Second, shallow plowins
fails to supply the conditions of mellow
ness and moisture of the surface soil which
are absolutely necessary for the attraction
of plant food and moisture from deep dow
in the earth and from the surrounding air
and failure of crop results. Third. shall
low blowing fails to preserve n DISTURB in
''drouth" and results in deficient Yields O
an excess Of moisture in wet time to re
growth and results in diminished yields O
crops Fifth, shallow blowing allows tn,
surface to become dry and hard and il
time of excessive rains the water accumu
lates washes away the surface soil on hill,
lands.
Improvement of the soil must be kept il
view by the intelligent cultivator tina
would till the ground, as originally as
signed to subdue the thorns and thistle
the product of the soil in its wild raw
natural state. In timbered countries i
is the unvarying rule that the newly
cleared lands produce larger crops thar
they do after years of shallow culture, Il
is quite true that in the rich prairies of the
West the first few years after breaking the
sod the yield of crops is much greater thar
after few years of shallow culture 1t il
not contrary to the principles of universal
improvement that such results should be
realized. Does not the onward march
of cultivation suggest that the soil is
capable of Improvement also? Does not
nature itself teach that the thorns and
thistles, the fgurative representatives OF
all the noxious weeds are to be subdued
and that then the soil is advanced to a
higher state necessary to produce the
fruits Of the earth that are to sustain
human life?
True culture end care of the soil will
improve its capacity to yield the fruits OF
the earth, while corresponding improve
ment is made in the quality with an &C
companying decrease in labor required and
a consequent reduction, in the cost of pro-
duction, all of which is adapted to the
onward march of advancing populations.
The imperative demand is better culture
given to less acres; more labor intelligent
ly expended On a less number of acres
with the certain prospect of realizing
greater results. Mind and hand should be
combined to produce the best, the greatest
returns from the soil. Intelli gent thought
must direct all efforts that would realize
the rewards of labor, and the blessings in
c+oro r, ba foi
THE BOMB SHELL.
Little Story From the French-What the
Gunner Shot Away.
Near the Sevres bridge, on the left bank
of the Seine. a tiny cottage nestled in a
mass of verdure, the roof almost hidden by
a tangle Of ivy, clematis and honeysuckle.
In the garden, which was shaded by old
chestnut trees, a band of bnllfnches and
chaffinches held joyous meetings and
charmed the ear with their merry chatter.
Pierre Barlat, the master of this pretty
home, was an honest, Woodworking fellow,
a genial comrade, though a stranger to the
tavern, and disdainful of all pleasures ex-
cepting those of family life; Jeanne, his
wife. was robust and comely peasant,
whose red lips smiled frankly, displaying
her wonderfully white teeth.
1t was a pleasure to watch this happy
mother taking care of her three small chill
dren, for there was never a trace of hurry
or Impotence in her bearing; and hers was
no light task-three babies to care for, and
the other household duties! She did it all,
singing gayly, and in the evening, when
the little ones were asleep, passed an hour
IL,
idly.
The conversation generally consisted in
plans for the future. Three children to
bring up! 1t was great undertaking, but
work was always to be found, and strength
and industry were not wanting. In few
years Pierre would be foreman and then
his pay would be much larger; the children
would be old enough to 60 to school, and
while they were away, Jeanne could earn a
little with her laundry work; in that way
there could be money saved up, and some
day the little cottage would be their own
property! When the children were quite
grown up, they would work, as their par
ents had done, while Perrie and Jeanne
could rest, in their old age, and live on
their savings. Such were the dreams these
two simple souls delighted.
Years passed, and the dreams began to
be realized. Pierre had worked unceas-
ingly, for the idea of owning his house had
grown upon him.
IT WOULD BE SUCH A PITY,
thought Pierre ,,and Jeanne, to lose the
little home; and the trees In the garden
they had planted them-and to let others
gather the fruit would seem like robbery.
At last, therefore, the owner was per-
suaded to come to terms, the deed Of sale
was signed one Sunday morning, and as
Pierre BarIat came out of the notary
house with the deed in his pocket proud
smile spread over his face, and he felt
that he would not care to ''call the king
his cousin.
He had first agreed with his wife tc
celebrate the occasion by dining at the
inn, where a fried fish, a rabbit fricassee
and some bottles of wine would make 6
meal fit for Lucullus. When Pierre fell
himself householder, however, he said tt
his wife: Come, let us dine at home,
and there was an intonatlOn of tenderness
in his voice as he pronounced the last TIVE
words There were several good reasons
for the change in their plans; first of al
the cook at the inn was not a good one
always serving the same gravy, with sucl
horrid taste of burnt fat! They woulc
be much more comfortable too in their owl
garden-bower. with the Seine at their feet
and the great panorama of Paris befor
them, gilded by the sun.
1t was in the midst of such happiness a
this that the war of 1870 came to disturb
Pierre Barlat
We now find him in the fort on Noun
Valerien; he is gunner. While he 1
standing al his post, General Noeh, tn
commander, comes up, accompanied by hi
staff, and leaning against the cannon, put
his field glass to his eye and looks through
| it toward the Seyres bridge