Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-13

(New Orleans Picayune.)
The following letter was written by Mr..
Webster. while deeply engrossed In the
weightIest affairs OF State, to his farmer
at Franklin, n. H.:
Washington. March l3, 1852.
John Taylor: j am glad TO near IRON
you again. and to learn that you are ali
well, and that your teams and tools are ar
ready for spring work, whenever the
weather will allow you TO begin.
/ sometimes read books on farming; and
/ remember that a very sensible old au.
and and to sow naked BY this he means
there is no use In beginning spring work
till the weather Is warm; that q farmer
may throw aside his winter clothes and
roll UP his sleeves.
Yet. he says he ought to begin as early
in the year as possible. He wrote some
very pretty verses on this subject, which.
as far as / remember. run thus:
while yet the spring is young, while
earth unbinds
The frozen bosom to the western winds,
While mountain SHOWS dissolve against
the sun,
And streams yet new from precipices run,
Fen in this early dawning of the year,
Produce the plow and yoke the sturdy
steer
And goad him TIL ne smoke beneath his
tot.
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 10 run down the
southern slopes OF your Punch-brook pas
ture, and the new grass starting ana
growing In the tricklng 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 ana turn
ing 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 1t:
But when cold weather, heavy SHOWS,
and 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 shining share,
Or hollow trees for boats, or number Ger
His sacks or measure his increasing store.
Or sha rpen 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 a good breakfast to his numerous
kline.
His shiverlng poultry and his fattening
swine
And Mr.. Virgil says some other things,
which you understand UP at Franklin as
well as he ever did:
IN chilling winter SWANS enjoy their
store.
Forget their hardships and recruit for
more,
The farmer to full feasts invites his
friends,
And what he got with pain. with pleasure
spends;
Draws chairs around the fire and tells
once more
Stories which often have been told before;
Spreads a clean table with things good to
eat.
And adds some molstenlng to his fruit and
meat,
They praise his hospitality. and feel
They shall sleep better after such a 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
spring work as soon as the weather be-
comes warm enough, and then put your
hand TO the plow and look not back
DANIEL WEBSTER.