Critique on the October number. 83 



practical tillers of the soil as is the absurd prejudice against " book farm- 

 ing," we would have less cramming, starving, flooding and parching, 

 freezing, scorching and smothering to death of unfortunate trees, fruits 

 or flowers. The enlightened cultivator is not content to follow mechani- 

 cally in the footsteps of some predecessor, to clip because he clipped, and 

 to dig deep or shallow, use rich soil or poor, because bidden to do it ; he 

 must know why and wherefore the thing is done, and be familiar with 

 the habits of the plant and its consequent requirements, if accident or 

 uncongenial weather retard its progress. Read, study, ye men of toil ! 

 improve your knowledge, and make your children read, that the sweat 

 of vour brows and the labor of your hands may not be given in vain; 

 read, that you may evade the pitfalls of mispractice ; read, that you 

 raav follow in the footsteps of well-known guides ; and then let your own 

 good sense winnow the grain from the chaft' — sift the gold from the clay. 



The Cultivatiox of the Sugar Cane and the Manufacture of 

 Sugar. — Undoubtedly a sweet composition, but as I know nothing about 

 the subject, I advise those seeking additional information to carefully re- 

 read the article, which is really very interesting and well-written. 



The Cultivation of Flowers. — The beautiful article with this cap- 

 tion is given under the auspices of Mr. Ray ; yet many of the conceits 

 and ideas with which it abounds, have, to my ear at least, a singularly 

 familiar sound. In fact, I am half disposed to think our friend Mr, R. 

 composed it while enjoying a promenade amid the flowers that bloom "in 

 the gardens of Gul." Nevertheless, I repeat, the article is good — very 

 good — good enough even to quote from the quoter. (The printer will 

 please not omit the necessary marks.) " Where color and shape are com- 

 bined in such perfection, he must waive all pretension to perception, taste, 

 or refinement of delicacy, who can view a flower with insensibility." 

 Flowers are nature's artists, as birds are her musicians; and it is as impos- 

 sible to imitate the rich and varied tints and beauteous forms of the first, 

 or the true, pure liquid melody of the other, as it is for the pen to write 

 enough in their praises. 



Living in the Country. — My dear Mr. Editor: Take a contract from 

 Putnam (if you can get one) to supply you an unlimited number of such 

 papers as the " Sparrowgrass" extract, and up goes your circulation like 

 a kite. I fancy I see hundreds of counterparts of the amiable " Spar- 

 rowgrass" pair, laughing as they recognzie its truthfulness and appreciate 

 its sparkle. It is a truly valuable brochure^ as much on account of the 

 instruction it imparts as the amusement it aff"ords. For the latter, note 

 the good-tempered ahandmi of the dialogue, or recall the quaint figure 



