98 SOILS 



Stir the soil thoughtfully and continually, and it gathers 

 in the rains to make abundant growth of plants when 

 summer's heat and drought are come ; plow the land 

 earnestly, and it gives its fat with gladness and with 

 bounty ; open the bosom of the soil with the plowshare, 

 and health comes to the land and wealth to the operator ; 

 spare cultivated fields the disgrace of ravaging weeds, and 

 golden grain and bountiful harvests come as rewards ; 

 fine and mellow the earth, and luxuriant vegetation glad- 

 dens the heart and rests the eye ; till and always till with 

 skillful hand and eye, and Nature deeds her gifts success 

 and prosperity and joy. 



