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TO 



THE ILLINOIS FAKMEK. 



Ma.k. 



we took a Merino fleece to a woolen 

 mill, probably the largest in the State, 

 and where broadcloth is made, it could 

 not be carded, and the fleece was sold 

 to go east, they giving us an equal 

 number of pounds of excellent stock- 

 ing yarn for it. 



What will the peach growers say to 

 Mr. C.'s last proposition ? — Ed. 



SMi 



Put Tour Tools in Order— A Word of 

 Caution. 

 Farmers ! the winter is upon you, and spring 

 with ts busy interests will soon be pressing upon 

 its heels. One hundred thousand able-bodied sons 

 of Pennsylvania liave either volunteered or been 

 drafted into the army since hist spring. How are 

 you goi-&g to supply their places ? We have else- 

 where directed your attention to this subject. We 

 would add a woi'd more. The winter season with 

 the farmer, is usually a season of leisure. Let 

 this winter be an exception. This is no period for 

 leisure with any one. The condition of the coun- 

 try will not admit of a single idle hour, and espe- 

 cially not with the farmer. If all other operations 

 cease his must go on. We must have bread and 

 meat, and the farmer must produce them. Every 

 acre that can be, must be tilled — the more the bet- 

 ter ; for there will be heavy demands and high 

 prices. "But how," you ask, "are we to produce 

 more, when our help is so largely diminished ?" 

 By preparing for it in season. Instead of spend- 

 ino- your winter evenings in idle chat at the gro- 

 cery, or at home, make every hour tell upon some 

 spring work. Bring in that plow where you left 

 it when you finished your fall plowing, examine it 

 in every part, and see that all its parts are in first 

 rate working condition, have an eye to every bolt, 

 see that the coulter is steeled and pointed, the 

 share sharp, and the mould board oiled to keep it 

 from rusting. Bring in that harrow fiom its rest- 

 ing place in yonder distant fence corner, see that 

 every tooth is sharpened and firm in its socket. 

 Draw that mowing machine beneath a shelter, ex- 

 amine every nut, replace worn cogwheels with new 

 ones, substitute new and keen blades for the worn 

 and hacked ones ; clean away the gum from the 

 journals and boxes, and supply its place with the 

 best lubricating oil. In a word, have every shov- 

 el, mattock, rake, hoe, fork, cultivator, corn shel- 

 ler, horse-rake, sythe, cradle, wagon or cart, put 

 in perfect order, so that when spring arrives, you 

 will be prepared for it. You will be amazed to 

 find how greatly attention to these little essentials 

 will forward your spring work. Have a place for 

 everthing, and everything in its place, so that you 

 can, at any moment, day or night, lay your hand 

 upon any implement or tool on your farm, and be 

 certain to find it in good working order. — Fa. Ex. 



.^ See that each hour's feelings and thoughts 

 and actions are pure and true ; then will your life 

 be such. The wide ptistu; e is but separate spears 

 of grass ; the sheeted bloom of prairies but isolat- 

 ed flowers. 



A Farmer's "Wife to her Husband. 



INSCRIBED TO THE MAINE VOLUNTEERS. 



Don't stop a moment to think, John, 



Our country calls — then go, 

 Don't fear for me or the babes, John, 



I'll care for them, you know. 

 Leave the corn upon the stock, John, 



Potatoes in the hill, 

 And the pumpkins on the vine, John, 



111 gather them with a will. 



Then take your gun and go, John, 

 Yes, take your gun and go ; 



For Ruth can drive the oxen, John, 

 And I can handle the hoe. 



I've heard my grandsire tell, John, 



(He fought at Bunker Hill,) 

 He counted all, his life and wealth. 



His country's offering still. 

 Would I shame the brave old blood, John, 



That flowed on Monmouth plain ? 

 No — take your gun and go, John, 



Though I never see you again. 



Then take your gun and go, John, 

 Yes, take your gun and go, 



For Ruth can drive the oxen, .John, 

 And I can handle the hoe. 



The army's short of blankets, John, 



Then take this heavy pair, 

 I spun and wove them when a girl, 



And worked them with great care. 

 A rose in every corner, John, 



And here's my name, you see, 

 On the cold ground they'll warmer feel. 



Because they're made by me. 



Then take your gun and go, John, 

 Yes, take your gun and go, 



For Ruth can drive the oxen, John, 

 And I can handle the hoe. 



And, John — if God has willed it so, 



We ne'er shall meet again, 

 I'll do my best for the children, John, 



In sorrow, want or pain. 

 On winter evenings I'll teach them, John, 



All that I learned at school, 

 And to love our country, keep her laws. 



Obey the Savior's rule. 



Then take your gun and go, John, 

 Yes, take your gun and go. 



For Ruth can drive the oxen, John, 

 And I can handle the hoe. 



And now, good bye to you, John, 



I cannot say — Farewell ; 

 We'll hope and pray for the best, John, 



His goodness none can tell ; 

 May his arm be round about you, John, 



To guard you night and day, 

 Be our loved country's shield. 



Till war shall pass away. 



Then take your gun and go, John, 

 Yes, take your gun and go. 



For Ruth can drive the oxen, John, 

 And I can handle the hoe. 



-i«*^ 



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