1863. 



THE ILLrN-QIS FAEMEE. 



197 



"We went at our country's call, to aid 

 tlie wounded, and were tiglily pleased 

 to find them so well cared for. "What 

 they now need is vegetables to ward off 

 scurvy and other diseases that may oc- 

 cur, if the army diet is alone to be used. 

 The labor of digging rifle pits and ap- 

 proaches is immense, and will teU on 

 our men unless they have a more gen- 

 erous diet. 



Our Sanitary Commissions are doing 

 a great good and would do more, but 

 unfortunately, the army at that point is 

 cm'sed with a great bundle of egotiscal 

 red tape, called Dr. Mad Mills. We 

 could write a great deal on this subject 

 but must forbear. 



—f- 



Our Cotton. 



One half acre of cotton was so nearly 

 ruined by the cut worm that we had it 

 plowed up and planted to late sweet 

 corn. In all parts of the State we hear 

 the same complaint in regard to this 

 crop, and it is highly probable that some 

 means will be devised to stop this dep- 

 redator on this crop, or we shall not be 

 able to grow it. We had hoed the crop 

 over, but from the combined dry weath- 

 er the plants made slow growth and 

 continually disappeared by the cut 

 worm until but few plants were left in 

 a row, not sufficient to pay for the cul- 

 ture, and being short of help we con- 

 cluded to plow it up. The crop will 

 be very good north of the Big Muddy 

 river ; south of that point we hear bet- 

 ter about it, but suppose the farms run 

 more to tobacco than cotton. 



I^'^lf farmers neglect to secure 

 their reaped crops in the bam or stacks 

 this month they will lose more by 

 damage from weather than the profits 

 on their crops. 



July. 



To-day, the jneek-e^ed cattle on the hills 



Lie grouped together in some graceful shade ; 

 Or slowly wander down the grassy glade, 



To stand content, knee deep, in glassy rills. 



The wandering bee, in far-secluded bowers. 



Hums its low, cheerful anthem, free from oare j 

 Great brilliant butterflies, fragive as fair, 



Float gracefully above the gorgeous flowers. . 



The sun pours down a flood of golden heat 

 Upon the busy world ; so hot and bright. 

 That the tired traveler, longing for the night. 



Seeks some cool shelter from the dusty street. 



The cricket chirrups forth its shrill refrain ; 



The grass and all green things are sear and dry ; 



The parched earth thirsts for water,and men sigh 

 For cooling showers. All nature waits for rain. 



"To Give is to Live." 



ForeTcr the sun is pouring his gold 



On a hundred worlds that beg and boiTOw; 

 His warmth he squanders on summits cold. 



His wealth on the homes of wealth and sorrow. 

 To withhold his largess of precious light 

 Is to bury himself in eternal night. 



To give ' - 



Is to live. 

 The flower shines not for itself at all; ' ?.;' • 



Its joy is the joy it freely diff"uses; \.' 



Of beauty and balm it is prodigal. <ri;~ 



And it lives in the life it sweetly loses, :. ' - 

 No choice for the rose but glory of loom—* i >?■;.. 

 Toexhale or smother, to witherorbloOnu^v . " 

 ...To deny :.,.;.'-: ^.iv"^ 

 Is to die. ■■';'■'""' ^^■'■j" 



The seas lend silvery rays to the land. 



The land its sapphire streams to the ocean ; 

 The heart lends blood to the brain of command. 

 The brain to the heart its lightning motion; 

 And ever and ever we yield our breath, 

 Till the mirror is dry and images death. .^ : 

 To giro 

 Is to live. 



He is dead whose hand is not opened wide 



To help the need of a human brother; :, ^^ 



He doubles the life of ' is life-long ride, 



Who gives his fortunate place to another, 

 And a thousand million lives are his, 

 Who carries the world in his sympathies. 



To deny - '. ■'] 



' Is to die. ' - .-^^v 



Throw gold to the far dispersing wave. 



And your ships sail home with tons of treasure ; 

 Care not for comfort, all hardships brave, 



And evening ond age shall sup with pleasure ; 

 Fling health to the sunshine, wind and rain, 

 And roses shall come to the cheek again. 

 To give 

 Is to live. 



What is our life ? Is it w«ilth and strength ? 



If we, for the Master's sAe will lose it. 

 We shall find it a hundred-fold at length, 



While they shall forever lose who refuse it ; 

 And nations that save their anion and peace 

 At the costof right, their woe shall increase. 

 They save 

 A grave. 



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