Plough deep--two feet, at least--for corn or rye.
You can't, in stony land? Sir, that's a lie;
A sub-soil plough will do it; then manure,
And put on plenty; if the land is poor,
Get muck and plaster; buy them by the heap,
No matter what they cost, you'll find them cheap.
I've tried them often, and I think I know,
Then plough again two feet before you sow.
Potatoes get on best in sandy soil,
I'm sure of _that_--but plant before you boil;
Then put in strawberries; that's what I do--
Confound you for a blockhead! Why don't you
Get modern works and read them? No, you'd rather
Go creeping on just like your stupid father.
That patch is good for melons. Why the deuce
Don't you convert those swamps to better use?
Beets are a paying crop, and don't cost much
To raise; so's cabbage, pumpkins, squash, and such;
They'll always sell and bring you back your money--
No bees? The mischief! What d'ye do for honey?
Sir, let me tell you plainly you're an ass--
Just look at those ten acres gone to grass!
Put turnips in 'em. Timothy don't pay--
Can't cattle feed on anything but hay?
I don't consider hogs a first-class crop;
Give me my own free choice, sir, and I'd swap
The best of 'em for strawberries or sheep--
But let me say again, you must plough deep;
The trouble with our farmers is, that they
Can't be induced to look beyond to-day;
Let them get sub-soil ploughs and turn up sand
And hang it, sir! let them manure their land.
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