In all your plans be punctual, nor delay
Until the next the labors of to-day.
To wait ne'er fills the hungry mouth with bread,
'Tis industry that drives the work ahead.
Your witless sluggard ever is at strife,
And battling with misfortunes all his life.
And when the sun, returning southward, flies,
And Autumn rains have cooled the sultry skies,
Your weakened frame, by wintry breezes fann'd,
Acquires new strength to clear the forest land.
For when the dog-star bums, 'tis not discreet
To task your strength beneath his scorching heat.
Besides, each season, as I said before,
Should see its proper work begun and o'er.
Then fell your timber and prepare the ground
For culture, ere the spring-time come around.
Would you be saving, make, for common use,
Carts, harrows, drags; in short, whatever you choose.
These implements, which come in play betimes,
Are quite a prudent way of saving dimes.
Next, from the mountain-oak proceed to build
A brace of plows; that is, if you are skilled.
The size and structure must, of course, depend
Upon the nature of the soil you tend.
The simplest way is to hew out a beam.
Say ten palms long; to this you hitch the team.
Join this by mortice to the handle, and
Fasten the handle by a sort of band
Or staple to the share, and then insert
A coulter in the beam to cut the dirt.
Of woods, oak, hickory, laurel are the best
To stock a plow, for these have stood the test.
