20 THE NEW AGRICULTURE, 



their channel ways. Tracing these waters to their sources, and 

 dwelling upon the methods employed by the Creator in begetting 

 springs, rivers, rivulets and lakes, we learned lessons of incalcul- 

 able value. On return therefore from Michigan to Wyoming 

 County, New York, we drifted as naturally back to the Cattaraugus 

 of our birth, and Allegany of our breeding, as follows the trout 

 in ascent to the sources of streams amid the forests and among the 

 mountains. 



From early childhood, we had had liquid manures on the brain. 

 So early as 1844, we undertook to grow a few cabbages to impress- 

 ive proportions, for the sole purpose of convincing the champion 

 cabbage grower of our acquaintance that there were things in 

 heaven and earth not so much as dreamed of in his conceited phil- 

 osphy. We had barely set out in life, and occupying a rented 

 house, had the narrowest limits for garden making. A few rows of 

 potatoes, a bed of beets, another of onions, lettuce, etc., to which 

 was added a few cabbage plants, made up the sum of our venture. 

 Near by dwelt the boss farmer and gardener of the neighborhood, 

 Squire C. Our ground was rich, and we could not understand 

 why the Squire had fine cabbage, while ours had scarcely begun 

 heading. 



" What do you do, Squire," we asked, " to make your cabbage 

 grow so rapidly?" 



With a mischievous twinkle of the eye, our venerable neighbor 

 answered : 



" That's a secret worth knowing, and if you will not tell anybody, 

 and try it yourself, I'll let you know how it's done." 



We promised, of course ; when coming up closely, the old gentle- 

 man whispered in our ear : 



"I always hoe my cabbage before sunrise." 



Forthwith we resolved to get even with him. Our plants were fine 



