What are called _hard times_ produce very 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 manufactured at
home; spinning-wheels and looms have renewed their youth—and so have
our mothers, who, after a long 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 extensively 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.
Debts have been gradually contracted or discharged. Men have seen the
end of speculations to be sudden disaster—and (of all things on earth)
speculation-farming has received its reward. Men contented with small
gains—industrious, frugal, and prudent men have suffered almost
nothing.
GYPSUM.—“Time and practice” have ascertained the circumstances under
which gypsum should be applied. As a reason why, after repeated
applications, it no longer benefits, Prof. Liebig says, “when we
increase the crop of hay in a meadow by means of gypsum, we remove a
greater quantity of potash with the hay, than can, under ordinary
circumstances, be restored. Hence it happens that, after the lapse of
several years, the crops of grass on lands manured with gypsum,
diminish, owing to the deficiency of potash.” In such a case, if spent
ashes were employed either in connection or alternately with
gypsum—potash would be resupplied from the ashes.