542 



reflecting and progressive operator, as if it were a word coined expressly 

 to describe some thrifty farmer. Have you not witnessed in your own 

 experience, liow the suggestions of prudence could have saved you from 

 losses — put money in your purses — while a neglect of its teachings 

 renders the season unproductive, the soil barren, and the barn and pock- 

 et empty ? 



Economy suggests to the farmer, and admonishes him to ever bear 

 in mind, as he doubtless does, that the earth that gives so largely in re- 

 turn for what it receives, may become impoverished ; that it may be so 

 reduced in its productive properties, that it will not reward his toil by 

 productions of any kind, in sufficient abundance to remunerate him. 

 He knows that he might as well attempt to extort labor from the skele- 

 tons of his oxen after life is extinct, as to raise wheat from pure clay, 

 or corn from mere sand. It has been often stated, and the repetition 

 cannot be too frequent until the hint is suitably improved, that the soil 

 to produce well must be well fed — that it will not long endure the 

 drainage of its fructifying qualities to which it is subjected when yearly 

 cultivated, unless some means are employed to replenish the vital prin- 

 ciples. How is this to be done with least labor and cost, and most ef- 

 fectually ? Economy inquires, what is the element that was drawn out 

 and exhausted by the last abundant harvest ? What manure will sup- 

 ply it in the greatest quantities, without introducing unnecessary or del- 

 eterious properties ? Such practical questions it behooves every intelli- 

 gent and prudent farmer to be able to answer. He would not be tempt- 

 ed to get labor from his laborer, even him he calls a hand, without 

 feeding him, and shall he expect his farm to serve him and yield well 

 unless he keeps that fat. 



There is under the best management of a farm now and then a fail- 

 ure — here and there a loss. Some expected crop may be cut off, or 

 some scheme miscarry, yet these are the accidents from which no calling 

 is exempt — no foresight can provide against them, or any amount of 

 prudence avail to ward them off. 



"Yes — for the smoothest lake hath waves 



Within its bosom, which will rise 

 And revel when the tempest raves; 



The cloud will come o'er gentlest skies: 

 And not a favored spot on earth 



The furrowing plowman finds, but there 

 The rank and ready weeds have birth, 



Sown by the winds to mock his care." 



