The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-04-22
!, lesson IN GARDENING.

Az this is the season of the year for
making gardens and planting seeds there
in, we think it advisable to discuss me
question as to whether or not thereG1s
anything in the old (alleged superstition
that garden seeds should be planted on
the dark O. the moon. Science says
that this is a superstition, pure ana
simple. and that there is absolutely
nothing in it,; that seeds will grow
all things else being equal, Just as Wen II
planted on the light o the moon as on
the dark o. the moon. On the other
hand there are many expert and sue
cessful gardeners who declare that science
does not know what it is talking ABOUT,
and that no gardener who disregards
the we'll established garden rule OF plant
ing seeds on the dark o the moon can
hope to get the best results.
A scientist who has for years peen as
ISOLATED with institutions OF learning IN
Virginia, dined on certain occasioii
with a well-to-do family in the country
ard as the conversation turned TO gar
deninr he took occasion to laugh TO scofh
what he was pleased to term the supefs'i-
ton concerning the influence OF the noun
on the growth Of plants lie ueliVefeu
himself of a little inter-prandlal sclentiiic
discourse on the subject, and from ms
point of view proved beyond perao-
venture that this was nothing more nor
less than an old woman's whim, ana
unworthy of credit by those who pro-
fessed to be intelligent.
But his scientific discourse 1eil upon
deaf ears SO far as concerned the Sooo
woman who sat at the lead Oh the
table. you may talk all the science
YOU please, Professor" said she, sDut l
know that there is something in it, for
have tried it, and practice is better
than science
On another occasion Richmond clergy
man was discussing the same question
with Professor II. A. Strobe, VINO Is
recognized to be one OF the most -leafneu
scientists III Virginia, and our TREND
of the cloth said to him that While ne
knew that from a scientific point OF view
there was really nothing in planting
seeds on the dark o. the moon, yet ms
observation was that the old time garden
ers who followed that rule invarlapiy mad
better gardens than those VINO did not
follow 1t, and asked Mr.. STROBE IL MS
observation had been the same. MT.
STROBE promptly replied in the afhrma-
tive. and our clerical friend was then
curious TO know how he accounted Tor IL
..It IS simple enough said the man Oh
science ''Those gardeners who follow
the rule to which YOU refer, and winch,
as YOU say, is a mere superstition, also
follow all other established rules of gar
denins which are not superstitious In
other words, they give careful attention
to every detail. They follow a certain
routine. first preparing the ground prop
erly, then planting the seeds in season,
and when the plants make their appear
ance. and while they are growing to
maturity, nursing them as tenderly as
they would growing child. That sort
of work, that sort of care, that sort OF
attention to minutest details, that sort
of thoroughness will bring success
whether the person who follows the
course be engaged in gardening, in farm
ing. in manufacturing, in teaching, in
preaching, or what not"
We had intended with this text to
preach a little sermon this morning on
thorouchness. but Professor Strobe has
left nothing to say.