1856.] Exliamtlng the Soil. 525 

 1 



filjiinstiiig \\i Inil. 



"We read in America nmch of the "exhausted soil of Europe." 

 I have seen none of it. So far from being exhausted, I think the 

 soil of Europe is now better than ever, and that it is made to yield 

 larger crops than ever. How can soil be exhausted, which has for 

 centuries, received plentifully of manures, and manures made upon 

 the best possible systems. I think a little reflection, coupled with a 

 proper observance of European agriculture, must lead to the con- 

 viction that the soil of Europe is constantly receiving more back in 

 manure, etc., than is taken away in products. Of all farm products, 

 the atmosphere and rains furnish the larger quantity of its compo- 

 nent parts, and whenever a proper system of manuring exists, the 

 ground must become constantly enriched. 



In Europe, manure is the ever-present idea of the farmer, and by 

 gathering all offals, and making manure in any conceivable way, he 

 does not only by green manuring, such as plowing clover under, but 

 by stable, factory, street and dwelling manure, take good care to 

 return to mother Earth the rental she requires, and to do it without 

 grudging, and with compound interest. The soil is only there ex- 

 hausted where crops are raised which are entirely removed, and of 

 which nothing is returned to the soil — for instance, tobacco. This 

 is very little the case in Europe. The fine wheat crops which smile 

 upon the traveler, as he is rushed past them by railroad speed, would 

 be an impossibility, if the idea of exhaustion were true. The mead- 

 ows, too, which are mown thrice every year, and each time give a 

 good crop, and have been so mown for ages, contradict this exhaus- 

 tion theory. No ! the European farmer and his land are always on 

 good terms with each other. The man yields good husbandry, and 

 the land yields good crops. — Gha's Reemelin. — Ohio Farmer^ Sep- 

 tember 20. 



i^ » 1 1 ^». 



Mirth is like a flash of lightning, that breaks through a gleam 

 of clouds, and glitters for a moment; cheerfulness is like sunshine, 

 that keeps a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady 

 and perpetual serenity. 



- To make stars visible at noon — take a pair of skates, and while 

 cutting a spread eagle, come " ker swallop " on your head. 



