SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
129 
ty. Its healthy vigor is no doubt owing, in a great part, to 
its favorable situation. Located in the hollow formed by 
two gentle slopes, and below the level of a near ti^irnpike 
road, the washing after heavy rains assists in affording 
nourishinant just suited to it. The White Oak is getting 
so scarce in its native localities, that our posterity will 
speak of it as we do of the Mastodon, and other famed 
lords of the animal kingdom which once existed on this 
curious world, unless our planters pay more attention 
to it.” 
Subsoiling vs. Drouth. — The Secretary of the Queens 
County (N. Y.) Agricultural Society, Mr. John Harold, in 
his report in the transactions of our State Society, men- 
tions the following fact in regard to subsoiling : 
“During the month of August, we were invited by one 
of our members to go over hisgrowing corn and take note of 
Ms method. The land had been subsoiled, and although the 
drouth was severe, the leaves were a fine dark green and 
the silk luxuriant, seeming scarcely to suffer from the 
great heat. In the adjoining lot, only separated by a post 
and rail fence, the stalk was drying up, and the ears small 
and poorly filled. A spade was procured, and a hole dug; 
about eight inches deep we came to a hard pan, and with 
considerable labor broke through it. Below, the earth 
was as dry as ashes. The subsoiled lot of our friend was 
then tried ; the spade went down into a mellow soil, and 
at two spades’ depth it was moist and mellow. No won- 
der his corn looked flourishing.” 
Will Mr. Harold inform us whether the true subsoil 
plow was used, or the Michigan dotible plow I — Ex. 
BIRDS EARN THEIR OWN LIVING. 
The difference betioeen two men — A plea for Toads — In- 
gratitude. 
A gentleman in this vicinity, in the sping of 1853, 
purchased some 20 Kentish or Early Richmond cherry 
trees, perhaps better known as the “common red” cherry. 
On the next morning he made another purchase of about 
18 more, also. In conversing with him, I inquired why 
he selected so many trees of one variety. He made the 
following noble reply : “I am desirous of tolling the robins 
to my place, and I design to give them a generous share 
of the ffuit of these trees, for they earn it in destroying 
great numbers of \vorms and other enemies of vegetation. 
I also admire the sweet melody of their songs.” 
I remarked that I highly approved of his course, and 
that I ardently hoped he would be profitted by it, and en- 
joy their music. By the way, I think ^his variety of cher- 
ry is the most hardy, productive, and reliable of any 
other for Maine, and if the fruit is permitted to remain on 
the trees, say ten days after most persons pronounce them 
ripe; they would improve in flavor, become far less acid, 
and be a decent fruit for the table. 
Another and more wealthy individual, had a goodly 
number of bearing cherry trees of the same variety, in 
his garden ; but when the fruit was ripe, he manifested 
no generosity to the birds, but a grudging disposition. He 
was so annoyed when a robin eat a cherry, that he pro- 
cured a fowling piece and shot every bird that alighted on 
one of his trees. He was, however, (justly I think,) 
severely cenSured for his penuriousness and ingratitude 
Now, can this man possess human feelings'? Can he 
possess the common principle of justice'? or in fact, can 
he be considered as strictly honest'? For he defrauds the 
birds of their due, after they have labored for him for 
the whole season, t do not see how he can escape from 
such conclusions. For he was indebted to them as in- 
struments of the most High for the preservation of his 
crops. They only required enough to satisfy hunger, but 
he denies the poor birds even a living. Therefore, the 
taking of their lives is nothing short of the most cruel in- 
justice. Also, by taking the lives of these birds, he did a 
serious injury, not only to the interests of himself, but also 
his immediate neighbors ; for they are useful in every 
garden, and, therefore, are public benefactors. 
Now, a word for Toads. Toads destroy great numbers 
of insects which are injurious to garden crops. Knowing 
this fact, some individuals provide for them some dark 
retreats or cells, which they can crawl into and out of at 
pleasure. They frequently are much abused, by compari- 
son with any ugly creature. 
True, they cannot be considered very handsome; yet 
they are perfectly harmless, and are very useful in gar- 
dens, by the destruction of multitudes of noxious insects, 
and deserve better treatment than they frequently receive, 
even from those whom they benefit. 
Respectfully yours, Henry Little, 
[in Maine Farmer. 
Bangor, Ale., Feb., 1856. 
Beauty. — “There is something in beauty, whether it 
dwells in the human face, in the penciled leaves of flowers, 
the sparkling surface of the crystal fountain, or that as- 
pect which breathes over a statue, that makes us mourn 
its ruin. I should not envy that man his feelings who 
could see a leaf wither or a flower fall without a slight 
tribute of regret. This tender interest is the beauty of 
becoming grief and affection, for» Nature in adversity 
never deserts us. She comes more near us in our sorrows 
and leading us away from the paths of disappointment and 
pain into her soothing recesses, allays the anguish of our 
bleeding hearts, binds up the wounds that are inflicted, 
whispers the meek pledges of a better hope, and in har- 
mony with a spirit of still holier birth, points to that home 
where decay and death can never come.” 
HINTS INTENDED TO PROMOTE PEACE AND HAR- 
MONY IN A FAMILY. 
1. We may be quite sure that our will is likely to be 
crossed in the day, so prepare for it. 
2. Everybody in the house has an evil nature as well 
as ourselves, and, therefore, we are not to expect too 
much. 
3. To learn the different temper of each individual. 
4. To look upon each member of the family as one for 
whopi Christ died. 
5. When any good happens to any one to rejoice at it. 
6. When inclined to give an angry answer, to lift up the 
heart in prayer. 
7. If from sickness, pain, or infirmity, we feel irritable 
to keep a very strict watch over ourselves. 
8. To observe when others are so suffering, and drop a 
word of kindness and sympathy suited to them. 
9. To watch for little opportunities of pleasing and to 
put little annoyances out of the way. 
10. To take a cheerful view of everything— of the weather 
&c., and encourage hope. 
11. To speak kindly to the servants, and praise them 
for little things when you can. 
12. In all little pleasures which may occur, to put seZ/'last. 
13. To try for “the soft answer that turneth away 
wrath.” 
14. When we have been pained by an unkind word or 
deed, to ask ourselves, “Have I not often done the same, 
and been forgiven '?” 
15. ' In conversation not to exalt ourselves, but bring 
others forward. 
16. To be very gentle with the younger ones, and treat 
them with respect. 
17. Never to judge one another, but attribute a good 
motive when we can. 
