Norwich bulletin., 1916-09-02
WHEN IN DOUBT-STICK TO THE THINGS
 YOU KNOW ABOUT!

(Written Specially for The BuIIetin.l
 When in doubt stick to the things you know ahout," remarks a recent philosopher.
 I don't imagine that, when he ut tered that contentious phrase, he was thinking especially of farmers But he might well have been, if he wasn't actually aiming at us. It's sensible suggestion, Sensibly put, and reason able adherence to it on the part of us farmers. all round, would tend to our comfort. if not to our profit.
 A reasonable adherence" mind you: not a pig-headed one. -.-
 It isn't a new idea by any means. It's old,-very, very old. stare super antiquas vias," said the old Romans. meaning Stand by the old ways.''
 Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set" said the Wise King at Jerusalem. .,
 Tried and true" is a common form of commendation which implies and asserts its subject has been tested over and over again and found good stuff.
 There are scores if not hundreds of proverbs and common sayings which involve this idea. It is old as human experience. Nevertheless, like too many other forms of long growing wisdom, 1t is not always justified in the practice of the children of men.
 You remember how, when Paul went to Athens, he found that "all the Athepians and the strangers sojourn+- ing there spent their time in nothing some new thing" Which shows that we sensation lovers of the Twentieth Century are no new kind of critter. That sort of curiosity is as old as the race. It was probably born in us and 1t often takes q long course in spiritual sprouts to- thrash it out
 Something new appeals to us, to al- most all of US, with irresistible fas- cination.
 A new baby in the neighborhood calls out all the women as surely and effectively as new circus calls out all "the boys" under a hundred. A new Kind of fruit on a table at the county fair draws more than an ex- hibit of any old variety, no matter how fine
 And when some imaginative seeds man adverti7cs new potato or a new. strain of oats or a new breed of corn or an unheard-of big new cabbage, lots of us hurry to send money to him by next mail so as to be sure of getting first pull at the wonder
 Many. years ago [ recall that some body advertised a new berry. I don't remember all its alleged virtues, but the general tenor of the advertise ments conveyed to my mind the idea that this new fruit was going to sup plant all the other old fashioned berries ever grown. It was easier to raise than strawberries; bigger than blackberries; more delicious than raspberries, and more prolific than blueberries. 1t was ripened earlier than any other berry and hung on the vines later. It would. grow on any thing except q tin roof and minded neither drouth nor freshet nor frost nor sun-stroke, And it was something entirely new
 Oh, yes lots of people bought. After which they knew more about that one thing than they did before It turned out to be wild weed, quite common in many parts of the country, bearing berry nowhere regarded with favor and in some quarters with strong sis- picion of unwholesomeness if not toxic qualities.
 know because
 I bought half-a-dozen plants my
 q wish the printer could find some where around the office Q font of type about two sizes smaller than agate to put that last line in! Confession is good for the soul, and I feel that I'l6, done my humble duty in making this one, but it's dreadful to be conspicuous and I'd really like to get throiigh it with as much speed and in as small type as l can'>
 Every winter tho seedmen's cata- logues come drifting in. each one with Its ges of standard seeds-which are usually listed in the most rnatter-of- fact way--prefaced with several efowv not to say startling pages of Novel | ties" '7.~9' These Novelties" will include all | sorts of wonders, from tomatoes that ran be ripened In twenty eight days rom seed and cabbages that will | Wdfgh hundred pounds to string beans that never rust and oats that yleid ninety bushels to the acre and weigh forty eight pounds to the bushel