HINDRANCES AND HELPS. 239 



"There are a great many mineral elements of 

 food lying below, which plants seek after ; don't you 

 find your clover roots running down into the yellow 

 soil ? " 



" Waal, clover's a kind of a tap-rooted thing, 

 nateral for it to run down ; but if it runs down arter 

 the yaller, what's the use o' bringin' on it up ? " 



The scientific gentleman sees his chance for a 

 dig. 



" But if you can make the progress of the roots 

 easier by loosening the sub-soil, or incorporating a 

 portion of it with the upper soil, you increase the 

 facilities for growth, and enlarge your crops." 



" Waal, that's kinder rash'nal ; and ef I could find 

 a man that would undertake to do a little of the 

 stirrin' of the yaller, without bringin' much on't up, 

 and bord himself, I'd furnish half the team and let 

 him go ahead." 



" But wouldn't the increased product pay for all 

 the additional labor ? " 



" Doant b'lieve it would, nohow, between you 

 and I. You see, you gentlemen with your pockets 

 full o' money (scientific gentleman coughs slightly), 

 talk about diggin' here and diggin' there, and turnin' 

 up the yaller, and making compo's, but all that takes 

 a thundeiin' sight o' work. (Gee, Bright ! g'lang, 

 Buck!)" 



