376 



Song of the Soil. 



Vol. IX. 



so that in many cases the plant was cut off 

 at the ground ; but as it was out of the 

 ground but a few inches, the corn does not 

 now seem to have been injured further than 

 being retarded in its growth, and occasion- 

 ally a hill destroyed. 



The most severe loss falls on our wheat 

 fields. The wheat mostly grown about here 

 is the Mediterranean, which is a very early 

 variety. The crops were quite promising, 

 and our farmers calculated confidently on 

 more than an average yield, but those hopes 

 were unexpectedly cut off. Most of our 

 wheat was in blossom: I had walked through 

 a fine field within a day or two of the frost, 

 in company with one of our farmers, and we 

 were admiring the regularity of the blossoms 

 on the plants. The morning after the frost, 

 he observed to me, that it was his opin- 

 ion, such a night would kill the wheat. 

 Within forty-eight hours the evident tinge 

 of brown which showed deeply in the hol- 

 lows and faded away up the hill sides, proved 

 that his fears were well founded. The idea 

 of a frost so late in the season injuring so 

 hardy a plant as wheat, was new to most of 

 us, but we had to admit the fact, since it was 

 so plainly before us. It is evident that the 

 action of the frost was entirely on the blos- 

 som ; the plant itself is yet as healthy look- 

 ing as ever, but no grain has formed. Such 

 an occurrence is so unusual as to be almost 

 imknown to farmers, and indeed most with 

 whom I have conversed on the subject, were 

 inclined to doubt it having ever occurred, 

 though a few think it did happen slightly, 

 two years ago in this neighbourhood. 



The effect of trees in protecting the grain 

 was not a little remarkable. Woodland on 

 the north served to keep off the frost some 

 distance beyond where the shade of the trees 

 would be cast in the day, and in one instance 

 a small grove of chestnuts in the bottom of 

 a hollow, where the frost was the heaviest, 

 completely protected the wheat for many 

 yards, beyond the shadow of the trees. A 

 small patch of potatoes, which ran up into 

 some woodland, forcibly illustrated this also; 

 under the trees the tops of the plants were 

 untouched — further from them they were 

 just tipped, while further portions of them 

 were cut to the ground. 



On the higher hills many escaped un- 

 touched, and those which were injured, suf- 

 fered but slightly. The Mediterranean wheat 

 was almost the only kind injured, though in 

 some places some other varieties did not es- 

 cape ; the later kinds around us promise a 

 very fine yield, having escaped by not being 

 in blossom at the time. 



Some of our farmers cut down their wheat, 

 so fully were they convinced of the destruc- 



tion of their crops. This was the case in 

 Doe run and East Marlborough townships, 

 and probably in other places. 



As the occurrence of such a loss from such 

 a cause, is so unusual a thing, I have thrown 

 together a few observations occurring under 

 my own eye, to call attention to the matter, 

 and would request others in other places to 

 add what may have been noticed by them, so 

 that we may have all the facts we can on the 

 case, for that is the only way to get at any 

 ffood results from such occurrences. W. 



Chester County, Sixth mo., 1845. 



We have understood from diflferent neighbourhoods, 

 that tlie wheat affected by this frost was generally, 

 tliough perhaps not quite exclusively, the Mediterra- 

 nean. This is an early ripener: and it is possible that 

 tliis circumstance, subject as we are occasionally to 

 pretty hard frosts late in the season, may prove a seri- 

 ous objection to it. — Ed. 



Song of the Soil. 



BY J. H. R. BAYLEY. 



I Start the bulb of the beautiful flower. 



And feed the bloom of the wild wood bower; 



I rear the blade of the tender herb, 



And the trunk of the stalwart oak I curb; 



I force the sap of the mountain pine, 



And c\irb the tendrils of the vine; 



I robe the forest, and clothe the plain 



Witfh the ripest of fruit and the richest of grain. 



The cheek of the peasant I flush with health, 



And yield the sturdy yeoman wealth; 



I give the spirit of commerce wings. 



And prop the tottering thrones of kings. 



The gorgeous palace and the humble cot 



Owe every atom to me they've got— 



And the prince at the banquet, and hind at his board, 



Alike must depend on the fare I affiard. 



Man may boast of his creaturely might— 

 His talents in peace, and prowess in fight; 

 And lord it over beast and bird, 

 By the charm of his touch and the spell of his word; 

 But I am the sole and mighty source 

 Whence flows the tide of his boasted force- 

 Whatever his right, and whoever he be. 

 His pomp and dominion must come from me ! 



I am the giver of all that's good, 



And have been since the world has stood ; 



Where's there wealth on ocean, or beauty on land. 



But sprung from the warmth of my fostering hand? 



Or where the object fair and free. 



That claims a being, but's traced to me? 



Cherish! then cherish, ye sons of toil, 



The wonderful might of the fruitful soil! 



And whence, says the Christian, dost thou obtain. 

 This power so mighty, of which thou art vain ? 

 Thou boastest of that, which is furnished to thee. 

 By Him wj^o is Lord, both of land and of sea. 

 For know that the treasures which come from thy sod. 

 Are only thine own, as the gift of thy God. 



