JVotcs and Gleanings. 235 



Muscle versus Mind. — There are persons in this world who seem to look 

 upon physical labor, even severe physical labor, as a good thing in itself, and 

 who, if we may judge by their talk, think it an especial blessing when a man has 

 the opportunity to work hard at tilling the soil, whether on the farm or in the 

 garden. That is, they take this view of the subject for others, and can discourse 

 most eloquently on the dignity of labor ; but they take precious good care never 

 to soil their own hands. Now, there is nothing in itself desirable in the per- 

 formance of manual labor, especially when coarse and difficult ; it is only when 

 informed and elevated by intelligence and a perception of the desirable ends to 

 be attained by it, that it becomes dignified ; and it is exactly in proportion to the 

 conscious intelligence which guides it that it becomes elevated above brute labor. 

 Another fallacy which has been urged by theorists in regard to a farmer's life is 

 the opportunities for mental culture which it affords. No doubt, to one who is 

 disposed to use them, the comparative leisure of winter on a farm does offer such 

 opportunities ; but the farmer or gardener who is ambitious to keep every part 

 of his establishment up to the highest point of order, will find in barn, shop, or 

 green-house, work that will not leave much leisure for study. It is a perception 

 of these truths, and a laudable desire to avoid severe and long-continued manual 

 labor, which has led to the invention of the improved labor-saving machines of 

 our day ; but it would be a great error to suppose that when an invention is once 

 perfected, the occasion for the exercise of intelligence is ended. So far as 

 regards the operator of the machine, it is just begun. Every new machine for pre- 

 paring, planting, tilling the ground ; for mowing, harvesting, etc., requires vastly 

 more intelligence to guide it than the simple ploughs, hoes, and spades of our fore- 

 fathers ; and it is the necessity for such intelligence which is slowly, but surely, 

 causing the old prejudice against " book farmers," as thoughtful, progressive 

 men were once stigmatized, to give way. Every new machine which relieves the 

 cultivator from bodily toil requires new mental activity and intelligence. The 

 less muscle, the more mind. 



New Seedling Apples. — Mr. Asahel Foote, of Williamstown, Mass., has 

 originated several ne'w varieties of pears and apples, some of which have been 

 mentioned in the Proceedings of the American Pomological Society, and in 

 other publications. We have had the opportunity to test some of his seedling 

 apples, and have made the following notes on their quality : — 



Foote's Seedling Bellfloiver resembled its parent, the Yellow Bellflower, in 

 shape and color, though rather more regular in form, and the skin smoother and 

 more delicate in texture and color ; perhaps, in all these points it approached the 

 Porter more closely than the Bellflower. Medium size, flesh tender and of good 

 flavor. Ripe about the same time as its parent. 



Foote's Pouftd Sweet strongly resembles the Lyman's Pumpkin Sweet, or 

 Pound Sweet, and, so far as we could perceive, shows no marked superiority to 

 that variety. Ripe late in autumn. 



Sweet Mother. — The general appearance of this variety would indicate that it 

 bear% affinity to the Spitzenbergs. It is of good size, brilliant red color, flesh 

 white, tender, aromatic, sweet, and rich. Early winter. 



