and

Son. For what reason do they sow wheat rye before the winter?

Father. That they may have time for growth. The blade appears time enough before the winter, to stand against the wind and weather; the valuable ear does not then expose itself to the violent season, but waits for warmer weather, and then rises to perfection.

Son. How do the young plants endure the bleak weather?

Father. They are richly surrounded with blades, like those of grass, in the spring of the year, which fall off in the warm weather, and then the plant feeds and flourishes.

Son. How is it with the grain?

Father. The kernels of the grain are securely lodged in strong husks, or chaff, that the sun (after the corn shoots out in the ear) should not scorch and shrivel it, or the rain or dew cause it to rot.

Son. And what farther?

Father. Also, that in time of harvest the grain may not be shaken out and lost, as the husbandman is bringing it into the granary. Son. How do the ears of eorn grow, and how do they ripen ?

Father. When the dew and rain have made them swell, the enlivening sun dries hem oy degrees through the whole day. By these means they become fully ripe; especially when, after reaping, the sheaves stand some time in the field.

Son. And what is the produce?

Father. We have never such abundance as to render it of little value; or such a scarcity, that men and cattle perish for want of it. A demonstrative proof a divine Providence. Son. But suppose there is a failure in the

crop?

Father. When that happens in one place, other countries are generally able to supply the deficiency-which has lately been the case in France; a great scarcity prevailing there, whilst in other nations there was a very plentiful harvest.

Son. What is the fruitfulness or product of each stalk?

Father. The produce is almost incredibleI have been informed, that from one grain of wheat have risen one hundred stalks, bearing ears, which yielded in the whole two thousand grains.

Son. Almost incredible indeed! out this, I suppose, does not often happen?

Father. Their different produce depends much on the nature of the soil, upon good husbandry, the nature of the seed, and the manner of sowing it.

Son. In what other respects do we see the wisdom and goodness of God with regard to grain ?

Father. That it can be preserved in granaries, and continue good in some years of bad harvest. Many other fruits of the earth cannot be preserved one year some not one month-and others not one day, after they are fully ripe. Neither is there any herb or plant of the field which affords us such a wholesome nourishing food. With bread we are never satiated. It is justly called the staff of life.-And yet how insensible are we of its valuehow little thankful for bread! O, may we never incense the Almighty, by our ingratitude, to teach us the worth of it, by withholding from us the fruits of harvest.

Son. Of what use is barley?

Father. Of it malt is made, from which

we brew ale, beer, and also porter-nourishing, strengthening liquors, especially for the labouring part of mankind.

Son. What use is made of oats?

Father. In some countries, particularly in the northern parts of Great Britain, the common people make a wholesome bread of this grain. But it is generally given to cattle, particularly to horses, without being ground into meal.

Son. Which are the most useful plants of those which are not designed for food?

Father. Flax and hemp. The former, which the Dutch in particular cultivate with great care, is very profitable to the farmer, and very useful to the world at large.

Son. In what respect?

Father. The seed yields oil, and the finest of our linen is made from the rind of the stalk. And when that fine linen is much worn, do you think that it is of any farther service?

Son. I have heard that fine rags are a very acceptable present for hospitals.

Father. So they are--but would you think that we make our finest writing paper of such rags ?