flow of the Nile, and trampled in by a herd of swine, nothing 

 more being done to it until harvest. 



Egypt, Chaldia and China were the first nations to apply an- 

 imal power to agriculture. To Egypt we are indebted for the 

 discovery of artificial incubation, the account of which we find 

 in Rollins' Ancient History. Probably the oldest farm tool is 

 one resembling a pick, sculptured on the Egyptian tombs. It 

 was used to dig over the land before planting. 



After the discovery of the use of draft animals for farm 

 work, the plow was invented, and one is described as in use in 

 Greece, where it had been brought from Egypt a thousand 

 years before the Christian era ; it consisted of beam, share and 

 handles. "We have from the bible the account of a Chaldian 

 farmer who did such a large business that his ploughing team 

 consisted of five hundred yoke of oxen, while seven thousand 

 sheep grazed on his farm. From the same source we learn of 

 Gideon, the young thresher, the resounding blows of whose 

 flail come down to us through the ages as a stimulus to earnest 

 effort under adverse circumstances, which thrilling story has 

 doubtless nerved many a man since his day to mighty deeds of 

 valor. 



From incidental mention we learn much about the farm pro- 

 ductions of Judea in the time of the kings and prophets. 

 Onions, cucumbers, wheat, barley, grapes and several orchard 

 fruits are mentioned, with comment and instruction concerning 

 their cultivation in many places. At a time of rejoicing, be- 

 cause of abundant harvests, we are told that com made the 

 young men cheerful and new wine the maids, clearly showing 

 that a subtle influence is required to convince a young lady 

 of the pleasures of farm life than satisfies a man. 



The cultivation of our common fruits may be also traced to 

 ancient Greece, where the apple, pear, cherry and peach were 

 cultivated and many improved varieties developed to supply the 

 tables and fill the market of that people. Agriculture however, 

 in any of its branches, was not a source of pride with them as 



