92 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



stance abundantly, its use would seem to be indicated by 

 theory MS well as confirmed by experiment. 



Lastly, whenever ground is liable to suffer severely from 

 drought, we would advise a liberal use of ashes and salt. 



HARD TIMES. 



WHAT are called hard times produce veiy different 

 effects on different individuals. Some are made more 

 industrious, and some more indolent ; some grow frugal 

 and careful, others careless and desperate ; some never 

 appear so honest as when brought to the pinch, but many 

 men seem honest until they are brought to the trial, and 

 then give way. Hard times are gradually passing away. 

 As a community, are we better or worse off than before ? 

 A few particulars may help us to form some judgment. 



Fewer goods are bought at the store, and more are man- 

 ufactured at home ; spinning-wheels and looms have 

 renewed their youth and so have our mothers, who, after 

 along disuse, may now be seen working as merrily at them, 

 as they used to do when they spun and wove their wedding 

 furnishings although they have not now any such rosy 

 hope to quicken their aged fingers. Men have been 

 obliged to rely more upon their own ingenuity for want 

 of money to pay the carpenter, the blacksmith, the shoe- 

 maker, etc. Old clothes, old tools have been made to serve 

 an additional campaign. 



The leisure of dull times has been improved exteifeively 

 in setting out orchards, and we hope this practice will be 

 continued in busy times. No one has, during the pressure, 

 suffered for food, raiment, or shelter. Indeed, it is supposed 

 that not a pound less of sugar, tea and coffee, has been used 

 by the farmers than hitherto. Probably the quantity has 

 increased. 



