Year: 1868

sun, while those growing upon deeply plowed
soils looked qnite green and flourishing. Now
what is the philosophy of all this? There is a.
ways more or less moisture in the atmos-
phere and deeply plowed and thoroughly
| pulverized and mellow soil catches and ab-
serbs it, besides, such a prepared soil by
SOFT OF capillary attraction draws moisture
from the subsoil


we once knew farmer to stop hOeing his
corn because the ground was so dry. True,
he knew that it was good time to kin weeds,
but he thought that stirring the ground
would make it dry up the faster. Mistaken
SOUL We told him his philosophy was all
wrong,b but it was hard work to convince him OF
his error He knew nothing about capillary
attraction or the power OF absorption, and
cared nothing about them sit stands to res-
son." he said, "that frequent stirring the
ground will make it dry up the faster" We
tried to convince him, and but one remark
seemed to have any effect upon him, and that
was far from convincing him although it set
him to thinking. We asked him If the pores
OF his skin were ali closed up and this cover





snut-bladder, whether he would be likely to
sweat much or not. He finally concluded
that such a skin might somewhat stop per.
spiration, but the idea did not reach quite
through his hair. The truth is, when the
soil is parched up and baked over, it collects
no moisture from the air by day or night,
and none comes up from below, such crops
T1nnS ell H.
drought is not severe one. .


As the time is close at hand for planting
early potatoes we urge the farmers to prepare
their fields for this crop in a proper manner.
Don't put in the seed until your ground Is
plowed deep and the soil made mellow. You
have no prophetic power to divine what the
weather will be; or whether we shall have
cold or hot season or wet or a dry one,
and SO you must prepare your grounds In
such manner as viii best suit all kinds Of
weather. Would you guard against drought
Then pillow deep and pulverize well. Would
you guard against too much rain? Then
pow deep and make the soil mellow; for such
preparation OF the soil is best in either wet
or dry seasons. 1t is like killing two birds
Win one stone.


Do you intend TO sow two or more acres Of
wheat this spring and try to raise your own
foul Ifyou do, we commend you for it, and
give you word of encouragement. But re-
member to select the most suitable soil on
your farm and prepare it by deep plowing,
thoroughly pulverizng and properly man
uring. After that is done, procure good seed
wheat, and harrow it thoroughly. Don't look
at the moon to see if she is all right, for she
has nothing to do with it. No matter wheth-
er she "waxes or wanes," If your soil is prop
erly prepared put in the seed. Don't be
alarmed about the insects; don't prophecy
wet or dry, good or bad season for wheat;
don't be afraid of anything; but trust in Him
who has promised the harvest as well as the
seed time. Now what more can we sayP
Have we given sound advice? If so, will you
follow it? Don't let us have any skimming
or skinning the earth. She is our mother
and supports us all. Let us then act as wise
children and not take from her everything
and give her back nothing.


AGRICOLA