FALL WOKK. 141 



but I felt too complacent to mind him. So, when 

 the cold began to increase, I had Patrick cover over 

 my treasures carefully with plenty of straw, and 

 possessed my soul in patience for the next spring. 



The agriculture of modern days is very different 

 from what it was in the times of our forefathers. 

 Without going back to the days of Adam and Eve, 

 when the vegetable kingdom managed itself, but aft 

 er perspiration became a necessity of existence, the 

 first gardening was rude, seeds were planted in the 

 merest ignorance of all organic laws, and left to the 

 fate that the earth and the waters held in store for 

 them. Slowly, by innumerable failures, certain rules 

 were learned, and fertilizers, rotation of crops, and 

 suitable soils were dimly comprehended. In later 

 days science has stepped in, and shed a flood of light 

 on the subject. Now, before you plant a seed, you 

 ask a chemist to analyze the soil, and ascertain exact 

 ly how much hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphate 

 of lime, and other ingredients with hard -names, the 

 dirt is composed of, and then you add whatever is 

 deficient. One of the most beautiful inventions of 

 science is liquid manure ; not that it is beautiful in 

 itself, for it certainly is not agreeable to the senses 

 of smell or sight, and probably not to that of taste, 

 but it does so admirably comply with all scientific 



