Your ShelfYour Projects

Your Farm and Garden

9%

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1902

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 13.

Read the full edition

Your Farm and Garden

By J. C. Rogers

HERE in front of my door is a maple tree, and even now in midwinter (February 15) the buds are swelling to open with the first days of spring. The tree has been resting since October. It is now gathering its stored-up strength from last summer’s harvest, getting ready to take advantage of every opportunity when the warming rays come down again in a flood of light from the great Dispenser of every good gift. Then, as if in haste to return to its Husbandman His intrusted wealth, it pours it out in a stream of sweetness for the use of man, and spreads it before its Giver in a mantle of green. Its every activity says, “Freely I have received, freely and gladly I give.” And its fidelity is rewarded by an increase of wealth and usefulness.
The stored-up wealth of your ground has been put there by the same bountiful Giver. By careful studies it has been ascertained that the first foot on every acre of your farm contains, on an average, about two tons each of lime, soda, and phosphoric acid; of potash nearly four tons, and of nitrogen more than five tons. These are the five chief foods needed for the growth of your harvests. Your abundant crops of wheat and corn remove tons of this nitrogen every year, and the strength of your soil is not exhausted. Because of wrong treatment, it sometimes refuses to give up its richness. But it has been proved that the average soil has a reserve supply of these food elements. Of the first four there is still sufficient for from five hundred to four thousand years; of the latter enough for over a hundred years, with a most beautiful arrangement for its constant renewal. So it can be truly said of the soil, regarding nitrogen, which is most in demand by the plants you grow upon it, that its youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
There are two ways by which the nitrogen is restored to the soil. A small amount is carried down from the air by the rain, but far the larger part is borne down through the agency of plants themselves. Plants belonging to the great family of legumes have the power of extracting nitrogen from the air and storing it in little nodules, or warts, on their roots. From these roots it is distributed in the soil, where it remains, ready to aid the growth of the next crop. Among the legumes possessing this wonderful power of gathering nitrogen, the most common are clover, peas, and beans. Also the vetch and some wild plants belong to the same family. This is why clover is so good for worn-out land.
What great discoveries among the forces of nature are almost daily astonishing the world! These discoveries show how little is yet known by man of the workings of God. The ground which you call “my farm,” was made by the Lord. It is His laboratory, His workshop, where all the time His activities are being exerted for your benefit. The Maker and Owner of that piece of ground permits you to have a temporary home upon it, but it is sacred to Him because of His life and power which animate it. This working life of God in your soil is manifested partly through the forces of sunlight, water, air, and electricity. The large part played by electricity in the growth of the seed you plant is not yet understood. Silently these forces of divine energy are working for you whether you give the Lord credit for it or not.
Can you afford to ignore your ever-active Benefactor? Is it possible that your returns to Him shall be less full than those of the tree? Surely the gladness of a feeling heart given you by the same wisdom of God will flow back in joyful streams.
“Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits;” “the first fruits of thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field;” “all the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat;” “the first fruit also of thy corn, . . . and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give.” Ex. 22: 23; 23: 16; Num. 18: 12; Deut. 18: 4.
The idea of the missionary acre may be the means of greatly extending the work of soul saving. If you devote an acre or more of your farm to the Lord, in harmony with His word just quoted, it will be the best ground you have. If after your harvest is ripened, you then select the Lord’s part, it will be the best of the field, the best of the orchard, the best of the flocks and herds. The Lord’s acre will get the best attention and care. If any must be neglected in cultivation, or any suffer in harvest, it will not be His. With what anxious care we select the best gift for one whom we love, and whose heart we desire to win! How can we be less anxious for the Heart which yearns after our affections and pours out all gifts in one gift, Jesus!The best of the best is not good enough for such love; but it is received in the gracious way that fills the giver’s heart with joy.
“Would you win a Saviour’s blessing? Freely, freely give; Would you see His work progressing? Freely, freely give; Let your souls with love expand, Open wide a liberal hand; Would you follow God’s command? Freely, freely give. Give to spread the grand old story, Freely, freely give. Give to speed the light of glory, Freely, freely give.”
Don’t neglect to plan something for God this season. And do it now. He planned for you before the world began, and has been doing it every day since.
J. C. ROGERS.