,,hidden ,,treasure ,,the ,,story ,,of ,a ,,chore ,,boy ,,who ,,made ,,the ,,old ,,farm ,,pay ,,by ,,john ,,thomas ,,simpson ,,colored ,,frontispiece ,,by ,e4,h4 ,,suydam ,,and #af ,,illustrations ,,philadelphia ,,london #aiai ,,preface ,a few years ago the author visited the farm in ,western ,pennsylvania on which he had lived for a number of years when a boy4 ,much to his surprise there was not a boy of his acquaintance still on the neighboring farms1 many of which had passed into other hands1 and in some cases even the names of the original owners had been forgotten4 ,he bumped over the two short miles of road1 still deep with mud1 between the town and the farm1 and could scarcely recognize in the weedy fields before him1 with their broken-down fences partly concealed by undergrowth1 the fertile acres of his boyhood4 ,the orchard1 once kept so neatly pruned1 was now with trees that were gnarled and broken--while rich bottom land1 so productive in years past1 was foul with all manner of rank growth4 ,the lane leading up to the house from the main road was in such bad repair that he had to leave his automobile on the main road and complete his journey on foot4 ,investigation showed that many of the farms in the neighborhood were in a similar rundown condition2 that farm work was generally considered unprofitable or uncongenial2 and that the boys and girls born in the country usually took the first opportunity to leave the farms1 often for harder and less profitable work in the cities4 ,in the hope that many boys and girls now living on farms1 as well as others1 who1 if they knew of the advantages of labor-saving machinery and modern farm buildings 7to say nothing of the interest of outdoor work71 would take up this1 the most profitable and independent of all occupations--,,farming--this story of ,hidden ,treasure is written4 ,,the ,,author ,,february1 #aiai ,,acknowledgments ,the author begs to acknowledge his indebtedness for valuable information to3 ,a4,a4 ,drew1 ,superintendent of ,agencies1 of the ,mutual ,benefit ,life ,insurance ,company1 ,newark1 ,new ,jersey1 for ,constructive ,banking and ,life ,insurance4 ,bucyrus ,company1 ,south ,milwaukee1 ,wisconsin1 for ,trenching with ,steam ,shovels4 ,waterloo ,cement ,machinery ,company1 ,waterloo1 ,iowa1 for ,concrete ,mixing ,machines4 ,hercules ,powder ,company1 ,hazleton1 ,pennsylvania1 for ,progressive ,cultivation and ,trench ,digging by ,dynamite4 ,international ,harvester ,company of ,america1 ,chicago1 ,illinois1 for ,tractors and ,farm ,machinery4 ,george ,m4 ,wright1 owner of ,indian ,hill ,farm1 ,worcester1 ,massachusetts1 for ,holstein ,cattle1 ,dairy ,methods and ,poultry ,raising4 ,john ,w4 ,odlin1 ,publicity ,department1 ,wright ,wire ,company1 ,worcester1 ,massachusetts1 ,wire ,fencing4 ,c4,p4 ,dadant1 ,editor ,american ,bee ,journal1 ,hamilton1 ,illinois1 ,bee ,culture4 ,the ,sharpies ,separator ,company1 ,west ,chester1 ,pennsylvania1 for ,milking ,machines and ,cream ,separators4 ,d4 ,a4 ,post ,mold ,company1 ,three ,rivers1 ,michigan1 for ,concrete ,fence ,posts4 ,a4,a4 ,simpson1 ,indiana1 ,pennsylvania1 for much data regarding crop production and market values in that vicinity4 ,the ,domestic ,engineering ,company1 ,dayton1 ,ohio1 for ,electric ,light and ,power for ,farms4 ,the ,portland ,cement ,association1 ,chicago1 ,illinois1 for ,concrete ,buildings and ,road ,construction4 ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture1 ,washington1 ,d4,c41 for ,farmers' ,bulletins covering the great range of subjects referred to throughout the story4 ,the ,country ,gentleman1 ,philadelphia1 ,pa41 for much helpful data on general farming and stock raising4 ,k4,c4 ,davis1 ,knapp ,school of ,country ,life1 ,nashville1 ,tenn41 for a final reading of the proof sheets4 ,,contents ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,old ,,homestead ,,ii4 ,a ,,day',s ,,work ,,iii4 ,a ,,rainy ,,day ,,iv4 ,,draining ,,the ,,pond ,v4 ,,selling ,,turtles ,,vi4 ,,selling ,,sand ,,vii4 ,,the ,,new ,,aunt ,,viii4 ,,the ,,sale ,,ix4 ,,power ,,and ,,banking ,x4 ,,running ,,water ,,xi4 ,,tony ,,xii4 ,,the ,,dairy ,,house ,,xiii4 ,,visitors ,,xiv4 ,,ruth ,,and ,,the ,,straw ,,stack ,,xv4 ,,new ,,methods ,,xvi4 ,,ruth ,,and ,,jerry ,,xvii4 ,,filling ,,the ,,incubator ,,xviii4 ,,the ,,new ,,implements ,,xix4 ,,the ,,storm ,,xx4 ,,good ,,roads ,,xxi4 ,,filling ,,the ,,silo ,,xxii4 ,,the ,,fair ,,xxiii4 ,,christmas ,,at ,,brookside ,,farm ,,xxiv4 ,,cost ,,accounting ,,illustrations ,the ,afternoon was ,spent ,examining the ,buildings and ,looking ,over the ,plans for the ,new ,barn ,the ,old ,homestead ,well1 ,son1 ,let's ,get ,down to ,business4 ,i ,see ,you're ,wise ,all ,right to the ,value of that ,pit ,bees are a ,profitable ,side ,line ,the ,tractor ,will do the ,work of ,five ,men and ,five ,teams ,ditch ,digging by ,dynamite ,one-,half the ,herd ,the ,electric ,milker ,comfortable ,sanitary ,stalls ,small1 ,self-,loading1 ,kerosene ,driven1 ,concrete ,mixers ,every ,boy that ,ran ,away from the ,farm and ,many that are ,still ,there can ,tell of the ,days ,wasted on ,repairs to ,wooden ,fences and ,cleaning ,out ,fence ,rows ,extra ,profits are not the ,only ,things a ,farmer ,gets from a ,herd of ,well ,bred ,dairy ,cows ,good ,seed ,well ,planted ,lays the ,foundation for a ,profitable ,crop ,a ,well-,managed ,flock of ,poultry ,will ,return ,good ,profits ,the ,side ,delivery ,rake ,fluffs up the ,hay and ,lets the ,sun do ,its ,work ,quickly ,the ,self-,loader ,makes ,possible the ,quick ,storage of ,properly ,cured ,hay and ,saves ,tons of ,man-,lifting ,power ,the ,electric-,driven ,laundry ,well-,built ,concrete ,roads ,bring the ,markets and ,your ,neighbors ,nearer ,transferring the ,green ,corn ,crop from ,field to ,silo ,i4 ,,the ,,old ,,homestead ,the late afternoon sun shone full upon a boy who was perched on the top of an old rail fence forming the dividing line between the farm that spread out before him and the one over which he had just passed4 ,it was early ,march4 ,the keen wind as it whirled past him1 whipping the branches of the tree together and carrying away clouds of dried leaves from behind the fence rows1 penetrated the thin clothes he wore--but instead of making him shiver1 it seemed only to add to his pleasure1 for he removed his cap and ran his fingers through his damp hair4 ,the boy was slender and scarcely looked the eighteen years to which he laid claim4 ,he had curly sandy hair1 a freckled face and penetrating blue eyes4 ,his clothes were new1 but of rather poor material and ill- fitting1 scarcely protecting him from the cutting wind4 ,because of his short legs and arms1 his coat sleeves and trousers1 cut for the average boy1 were too long for him and were much wrinkled4 ,he had climbed the last and steepest hill lying between the town and his grandfather's farm--the ancestral home of the ,williams family1 which was now1 for a time at least1 to be his home4 ,since early morning he had bumped over the rough frozen roads between his home in a distant village and the county seat1 which was situated some two miles to the west1 and from which he had just walked4 ,he had expected to find his grandfather or his ,uncle ,joe waiting for him2 in this he was disappointed1 and as the sun was getting along toward mid-afternoon1 he had picked up his worn suitcase and set off through the town by a route that he knew would bring him to a short- cut over the hills4 ,despite the wind1 he sat for some minutes1 cap in hand1 while he looked out over the familiar scenes4 ,there was not one foot of ground in the one hundred and sixty acre farm that spread out fan-shape before him which was not familiar4 ,here he had spent many happy vacations in summers past4 ,the last two years he had attended the ,state ,college1 taking the course in agriculture1 and had worked in a grocery store in the village during the summer vacations1 but this work had been distasteful to him--he missed the freedom of outdoor life1 especially the birds and animals so plentiful on the farm4 ,so this year1 as his father could not afford to have him complete the course1 he had asked permission to go on a farm4 ,his two years in the ,state ,college had opened his eyes to modern methods of farming and the use of ,portland cement for farm buildings1 and he wanted a chance to try them out4 ,his father had hesitated at first in giving his consent1 not because he did not wish him to be in the open country1 but because he felt1 now that he had reached the age of eighteen1 he should be able to earn money and direct his attention toward permanent employment1 and he could not think of farming as a business with so many other opportunities at hand4 ,a letter from his ,uncle ,joe1 saying that he had purchased the old farm1 and would like to have ,bob help him with the work on his newly acquired property1 had settled the matter1 and1 as his uncle was anxious to make an early start1 he had left home at once4 ,he could not help noticing1 as he gazed at the panorama before him1 the dilapidated appearance of the buildings and tumbled-down fences half hidden by rank growths that confronted him on every side1 but this1 for the moment1 was of passing interest4 ,across the valley to the east1 in the twenty-five acres of woods1 he had once found the nest of a great white owl1 and there on ,old ,round ,top1 as the steep hill directly opposite him was called1 they had overturned a wagon-load of hay one summer with him on top4 ,he even remembered the thrill he had received as he went flying through the air1 and how they had all laughed when he landed unhurt on a hay cock some distance down the hill1 just clear of the overturned wagon4 ,then in the valley1 at the foot of the hill1 stood the old cider mill where neighbors for miles around would bring their apples in the late summer for cider-making4 ,here1 straw in mouth1 he and the neighbors' boys lay prone on their stomachs on the great beams and sucked their fill of the freshly squeezed cider as it flowed down the smooth grooves in the planks to the waiting barrels below4 ,beyond the cider mill was the old orchard1 with its ,rainbow and ,sheep- nose apple trees2 then the garden in one corner of which grew black currants and yellow raspberry bushes2 and near by the low red brick smoke-house1 from which many a piece of dried beef had been slyly removed to stay his hunger between meals4 ,just beyond was the white farmhouse1 nestling among the apple trees1 the front to the west and facing on the lane that led up to a farm above4 ,the house had a one-story ell on the end toward him1 containing the kitchen and pantry--this ell projected back almost to the smokehouse4 ,on the opposite side1 but hidden from his view1 there was a wide porch running the full length of house and ell1 and in the angle formed by the porch1 stood the well with its home-made pump4 ,the water from this well1 he recalled1 had a peculiar mineral taste1 with a strong flavor of sulphur--a taste he did not like4 ,he had never been so tired that he would not go to the spring up on the side of ,old ,round ,top for a pail of water1 rather than drink from this well4 ,back of the house1 but within the enclosure formed by the picket fence1 was the wood and tool shed--while just beyond stood the old- fashioned bank barn and other farm buildings4 ,there was a short steep hill just beyond the barn1 down which the lane wound to a mill pond below4 ,an old sawmill with an undershot water-wheel stood at the extreme south-east corner of the farm1 diagonally opposite4 ,illustration with caption3 ,,the ,,old ,,homestead ,of all the places on which his gaze rested1 this mill and pond held the most treasured recollections4 ,it was in this pond ten years ago his father had taught him to swim4 ,here1 too1 the neighboring farmers brought their sheep each spring to be washed--always a holiday and frolic for the boys4 ,like many other farms in this section of ,western ,pennsylvania1 the buildings were set so that the barn stood between the house and the main road1 making the approach to the house past the barn and through the barnyard4 ,for the first time1 this awkward arrangement was apparent to him2 he wondered why the buildings had been thus located1 and facing northwest4 ,he replaced his cap1 swung his suitcase over the fence1 jumped down to the frozen ground and set off down the hill4 ,as he trudged along1 picking his way over the rough ground1 the parting words of his father came to him3 ,make yourself useful1 ,bob1 and your ,uncle ,joe1 ,i'm sure1 will pay you all you're worth1 and while ,i'd rather have you become a merchant1 still if you find you like the farm1 you may stay with your ,uncle ,joe4 ,it was not so much the prospect of making money as the chance of being in the open air among the things that he loved that caused him to whistle a lively tune as he crossed the fields toward the house4 ,the one over which he was now passing1 he observed1 had been planted in winter wheat1 and that just beyond1 at the edge of the meadow1 was the young orchard well grown and badly in need of pruning4 ,the route he had taken soon brought him out into the lane at the foot of the hill1 near the cider mill1 where he stopped to drink of the cool sap that flowed into a large tin pail1 from one of the sugar-maple trees under whose branches the mill stood4 ,how good it tasted to the thirsty boy1 as he drank slowly from a long-handled dipper that someone had conveniently left hanging on the tree4 ,when he had quenched his thirst1 he picked up his suitcase again1 resting it on one shoulder1 and continued up the lane to the house4 ,hello1 grandma6 he shouted1 as he dropped his luggage on the porch and hurried forward to meet her as she emerged from the kitchen door1 a steaming kettle of vegetables in her hand4 ,why1 ,bob1 where'd you come from8 she exclaimed1 setting the kettle down and kissing him4 ,i looked for grandfather and ,uncle ,joe when ,i got off the bus in town1 but ,i couldn't see them anywhere1 so ,i walked out1 he replied4 ,why1 ,i'm sure they expected to meet you1 ,bob1 she replied1 but the roads are so rough1 ,i suppose they were late4 ,they took some grain to the mill and would have to wait for it to be ground1 and they may have been delayed there--but you haven't told me yet how all the folks are4 ,oh1 they're all pretty well1 he replied2 but tell me1 when is ,uncle ,joe to be married8 ,some time in ,april1 ,i believe1 she replied4 ,do you know you're to be his chore boy this summer8 ,yes1 father told me--it will be lots of fun4 ,just think--no more working all cooped up in a store like the last two summers1 he replied enthusiastically4 ,but it won't be all fun1 you know1 ,bob4 ,your ,uncle ,joe has bought the farm1 although it's not all paid for yet1 and ,i imagine he'll keep you pretty busy--if ,i know ,joe1 she added4 ,let me get you some water1 grandma1 he said a moment later1 seeing her pick up the tin water-pail2 ,i'll start right in now and get my hand in1 he laughed4 ,you always were a hustler1 ,bob1 even if you don't grow very fast1 she said1 looking at his over-large clothes1 as he left the kitchen4 ,i hope your ,uncle ,joe will remember that you're not grown and can't do a man's work1 even if you're willing to try1 she said on his return1 as she watched him set the pail of water on the kitchen table4 ,why1 ,i'm eighteen now1 grandma1 and weigh one hundred and ten pounds1 he answered stoutly4 ,well1 this is a big farm1 ,bob1 and it's gotten pretty well run down in the last few years with your ,uncle ,joe out ,west and your grandfather feeling too poorly to do much more than look after the crops1 she said4 ,are there big fortunes to be found in the ,west1 grandma8 he asked a moment later4 ,no bigger than right here1 ,bob1 she replied4 ,it's only a matter of work1 and ,i'm beginning to believe that after all it is as much a matter of managing properly as working hard4 ,do you know that your grandfather and ,i are going to move to town as soon as your ,uncle ,joe gets married8 ,why1 no1 ,i didn't--who'll look after things here when you go away8 asked ,bob4 ,oh1 your new aunt will see to that1 she replied4 ,i hope you'll like her1 ,bob4 ,who is she and what does she look like8 he inquired with boyish eagerness4 ,she used to be a school teacher and lived with us while she taught our school1 she replied2 that's how your ,uncle ,joe met her4 ,she has plenty of good looks--too many1 ,i sometimes think1 for a farmer's wife--and she is a real ,new ,england ,yankee woman1 who doesn't know how to milk cows4 ,how could any one be too good-looking to be a farmer's wife1 grandma8 laughed ,bob4 ,why should good looks keep her from being successful8 ,well1 you see1 ,bob1 nice white hands are generally spoiled by rough work1 said the old lady4 ,but why will she have to do the rough work when she comes here8 persisted ,bob4 ,oh1 ,i guess she won't have any to do--at least1 that's what your ,uncle ,joe says1 replied his grandmother with a haughty toss of her head4 ,that's what he's got you down on the farm for4 ,oh1 said ,bob1 dryly1 and so that's why he was so extremely anxious for me to come4 ,yes1 that's why1 ,bob--you might as well know sooner as later1 that you're going to be a pretty busy boy this summer4 ,your ,uncle ,joe is so big and strong that he never gets tired and doesn't know when to quit1 and he expects every one else to work just as hard and as long as he does4 ,besides1 she added1 ,i don't think he'll want ,,his wife to spoil her nice white hands4 ,what's her name8 inquired ,bob1 not in the least worried by his grandmother's gloomy predictions4 ,betsy ,atwood--but your uncle calls her ,bettie1 replied his grandmother4 ,aunt ,bettie1 repeated ,bob4 ,a pretty name6 ,h'm6 sniffed his grandmother4 ,i'm certainly glad you like it1 and ,i hope you'll like her as well--it will help to make the work seem easier to you4 ,why1 there's grandfather and ,uncle ,joe now1 said ,bob a moment later1 as he glanced through the kitchen window toward the barn1 and catching up his cap he rushed out to greet them4 ,joe ,williams was a typical farmer1 tall1 deep-chested and straight as an arrow4 ,he stood six feet in his stockings and weighed two hundred and ten pounds1 and could toss a barrel of salt on the tailboard of a wagon without losing his happy smile4 ,he was twenty-seven years old1 and there was not a farmer in the county who could beat him at feats of strength or endurance1 and few indeed who could keep pace with him4 ,he had black hair and blue eyes4 ,books had little attraction for him-- he loved to be in the open1 for which his great size and strength seemed to fit him4 ,he had received little education beyond the country school1 unless could be counted the two years he had spent working on farms in the great ,west1 where he probably would have stayed had it not been for the brown eyes of ,bettie ,atwood and an offer from his father1 now old and failing in health1 to sell him the old place at his own terms4 ,hello1 ,bob6 he called as his nephew came forward1 sorry we missed you4 ,the bus driver said you'd left on foot for the farm when you didn't see us around4 ,how've you been lately8 ,oh1 ,i'm all right1 replied ,bob4 ,hello1 grandfather6 he called1 as he went round to the side of the wagon to greet his grandfather4 ,you don't seem to grow much1 ,bob1 he laughed1 as he shook hands4 ,cooped up too much in that grocery store--you need the open air of the country to stretch you out4 ,just look at your ,uncle ,joe there--see what the country has done for him4 ,oh1 ,i'll grow all right1 grandfather4 ,i like the country and the open-air life1 too1 and father says ,i may take up farming work if ,i want to4 ,the team was soon put away1 and shortly after supper ,bob1 too sleepy to keep his eyes open1 went to bed4 ,,ii ,a ,,day',s ,,work ,bob6 ,bob6 ,time to get up and do your chores4 ,the sleepy boy rolled over1 rubbed his eyes and sat up1 trying to remember where he was and who was calling him2 then he recognized the voice of his uncle1 and jumped quickly out of bed4 ,all right1 ,uncle ,joe1 ,i'm coming1 he answered1 as he felt around in the dark for his clothes1 for he had neglected to provide himself with matches to light the oil lamp that stood near by on the dresser4 ,his clothes were simple1 and getting up before dawn was no new experience for him4 ,a few moments later he hurried down to the kitchen1 where his uncle1 who had just finished stirring the kitchen fire1 was filling the tea-kettle4 ,well6--are you up for all day1 ,bob8 he inquired cheerily4 ,i will be as soon as ,i get awake1 he answered1 as he started for the rain barrel for water to wash4 ,as the water in the well was hard1 rain water was used for washing1 except in winter1 when the barrels were frozen solidly4 ,the early spring rains had filled the barrels again1 but as the night had been cold1 ice had frozen over the top4 ,his uncle had been to the barrel ahead of him and broken the ice1 so he dipped up the basin full of water1 and placing it on a bench on the porch1 washed his face and hands4 ,above the wash bench1 summer and winter1 hung the roller towel1 and near by the mirror and family horn comb4 ,in the dark the mirror was of doubtful use1 but with a few well-directed strokes of the comb he managed to get a semblance1 at least1 of neatness to his hair4 ,he shivered a little as he finished--just as his uncle appeared1 milk pails and lantern in hand4 ,i want you to do the milking from now on1 ,bob1 for it's not the kind of work a woman should do1 said his uncle1 and handing him the pails1 they started for the barn4 ,you're right1 ,uncle ,joe1 replied ,bob4 ,i always milked our cow at home so mother wouldn't have to do it2 besides1 it doesn't take so very long4 ,bob had been taught to take good care of the family cow--a well-bred ,guernsey1 whose stable had a good cement floor and was neatly whitewashed4 ,once or twice a week he would curry-comb and brush her from nose to tail4 ,nothing gave him greater pride than to have his father bring some one unexpectedly into the stable to look at his charge and comment on the clean manner in which both stable and cow were kept4 ,his mother sold the milk they did not need for their own use1 and had no trouble in getting two cents a quart more than the regular price--partly on account of the cow being so well bred and giving rich milk1 but principally on account of the reputation the clean stable had made in the village4 ,the cow barn that ,bob now entered was built under a portion of the main barn1 adjacent to the thrashing floor1 and was dark1 even in the daylight4 ,the earthen floor was foul with neglect4 ,the cows1 instead of being secured in separate stalls with stanchions1 were chained up in a row to a long1 old-fashioned manger4 ,upon entering1 ,bob's uncle hung up the lantern2 then1 seeing ,bob look around and hesitate1 asked3 ,what are you looking for1 ,bob8 ,i was looking for a fork to clean the stable4 ,i always clean the stable and brush off the cow at home before milking1 he replied4 ,well1 ,i guess you're a little late to start that here1 laughed his uncle4 ,never mind the floor2 we'll back the wagon in here after breakfast and give it a good cleaning4 ,all right1 ,uncle ,joe2 but where's the brush8 asked ,bob4 ,brush6 ,what brush8 asked his uncle4 ,why1 don't you brush off the cows each morning before you milk them8 asked ,bob4 ,father always insisted that ,i brush ,gurney each morning4 ,well1 your father's not a farmer and you've only one cow1 while we have eight1 and1 besides1 ,i've lots of other work to do without curry- combing cows1 replied his uncle in a sarcastic tone1 angered at ,bob's reference to his father's greater knowledge of farm work4 ,better hurry up with your milking1 ,bob1 while ,i feed the horses1 he added1 as he left him staring at the cows4 ,he could not remember ever having seen such dirty cows or so dirty a stable before4 ,then he suddenly thought that he had always visited the farm in the summer time1 when the cattle were kept in the fields and milked in the open barn yard4 ,he finished the milking as best he could1 and was not surprised to find that instead of getting forty quarts from the eight cows1 he received only fifteen quarts--about three times as much as he got from ,gurney alone4 ,he now remembered the answer he once heard his father give a visitor at ,gurney's stable4 ,but1 ,mr4 ,williams1 the visitor had said1 a purebred cow must be considerably more expensive in upkeep than an ordinary one4 ,that's where you're mistaken1 his father had replied1 for a well- bred cow eats no more than a common one--in fact1 ,gurney eats less1 and the difference in the amount and quality of the milk soon pays for the difference in the first cost4 ,then1 there's the pleasure that ,bob gets out of the care he gives to an animal that is worth while1 and assuredly that's something not to be lightly lost sight of4 ,dawn was breaking when ,bob finished4 ,on the way to the house he met his uncle coming out of the yard1 a huge pail of swill for the pigs in each hand4 ,thought ,i'd feed the pigs for you this morning1 he said1 as ,bob set down his milk pails and held the gate open for his uncle to pass through4 ,it will take you a day or two to get your hand in1 he added4 ,bob made no reply1 but he noticed the swill was full of broken ice1 like the rain barrel from which he had taken the water to wash that morning1 and he was wondering how much good a cold breakfast like that would do even for a pig4 ,he carried the milk pails into the kitchen1 where he found his grandmother busy preparing breakfast4 ,shall ,i take the milk to the cellar8 he asked1 as he set the pails on the floor to rest his arms4 ,no1 thank you1 ,bob2 ,i usually strain it here in the kitchen before taking it down1 she replied2 but you may feed the calves--that's their warm milk there by the stove4 ,you'll find four of them in the orchard1 back of the smokehouse4 ,divide the milk among them1 and hurry back to breakfast4 ,bob disappeared with the milk1 but was back in a few minutes4 ,the tin wash basin was put into service again--this time hot water from the boiling tea kettle took the chill off1 and in a few minutes1 he joined his uncle who1 having already washed1 had that moment seated himself at the breakfast table4 ,will you feed the chickens for me1 ,bob8 asked his grandmother1 as he rose from the table after breakfast4 ,you'll find some shell corn in a feed box on the thrashing floor4 ,give them two measures4 ,come around to the wagon shed when you get through with feeding the chickens1 ,bob1 called his uncle1 as he started for the barn4 ,i'll get the team and we'll clean out the cow stable to-day4 ,bob filled the small wooden box he found in the feed bin1 then stepping out into the barnyard1 he called the chickens around him4 ,he could not help observing what a nondescript lot of chickens they were --not a purebred among them2 besides1 he noticed many were old1 and some had frozen feet and combs4 ,no wonder1 he thought1 as he glanced at the poorly built hen house that faced the east instead of south--a lean-to built against the side of the barn1 with only one small window1 and that one on the north end1 while the cracks between the upright boards1 of which the coop was constructed1 were not even covered by strips4 ,with these fowls he contrasted his own prize-winning white leghorns1 with their well-built and ventilated pen1 with its two large windows to the south4 ,he wondered how long they would have averaged four eggs a day for the eight hens through the entire winter1 if he had fed them with only cold grain instead of carefully prepared feed1 and had kept them in such a cheerless home4 ,no wonder his grandmother1 who got the money from the sale of the eggs1 said chickens didn't pay1 and that the few eggs the hens did lay in the winter were usually frozen before they could be collected4 ,he now joined his uncle and they began the annual cleaning of the cow stable and barnyard4 ,the stable was not hard work1 although the long corn stalks that were tramped deep into the floor were troublesome and required much labor to pry loose4 ,they finished the cleaning of the cow stable by noon1 but when they started on the barnyard in the afternoon they found it was frozen almost solid1 so they made slow headway and ,bob's arms and back ached from the unaccustomed heavy work4 ,when shall ,i quit to do the milking8 he inquired1 as he noticed the sun getting low4 ,oh1 we'll be knocking off pretty soon1 was his uncle's indefinite answer4 ,it was nearly six o'clock and getting dark when his uncle finally decided they had done enough work for one day4 ,guess you'd better hustle1 ,bob1 he said4 ,i didn't notice it was so late4 ,your grandmother will wait supper for you4 ,bob jumped down stiffly from the seat of the wagon and1 after cleaning his shoes1 went to the house1 as his uncle had directed1 and washed up4 ,are you tired8 asked his grandmother1 as he came into the kitchen where she was busy cooking by lamp light4 ,your ,uncle ,joe's starting right in to have you do all the work on the farm in a day2 he should have let you stop an hour ago to do the milking4 ,bob made no reply4 ,he took his pails and lantern and started for the barn4 ,his hands were stiff and blistered from using the fork all day1 and it was with difficulty that he finished his task in the ill- smelling and badly ventilated barn4 ,his back ached1 too1 as he carried the pails to the house4 ,why were you so long8 asked his uncle impatiently1 as ,bob entered4 ,your grandmother wouldn't let us eat till you came in1 so ,i fed the calves and pigs for you while we were waiting4 ,at home1 ,uncle ,joe1 replied ,bob1 as they seated themselves at the table1 we always milk at five o'clock and don't let anything else interfere with it4 ,father says a cow should be milked early and regularly4 ,well1 ,bob1 your father's not a farmer1 and if he wants you to quit in the middle of the afternoon to milk your cow1 you can do so1 but we'll milk ours after the day's work's done1 was the stern answer4 ,probably that's the reason ,gurney gives nearly as much milk as any three of yours1 replied ,bob quietly1 to which remark his uncle made no reply4 ,,iii ,a ,,rainy ,,day ,bob1 said his uncle one rainy ,saturday morning1 a week later1 it's such a bad day we can't do anything outdoors1 so we'd better sharpen up the tools2 there's a lot of them that need grinding4 ,all right1 said ,bob1 and he got a can of water for the grindstone-- an ancient model1 turned by hand4 ,his uncle gathered up the tools and piled them beside the stone4 ,there were two double-bitted axes and one pole axe1 two brush hooks1 three mowing scythes1 a hatchet1 a meat cleaver1 half a dozen knives1 both long and short--to say nothing of a drawing knife1 some chisels and planes1 which were added to the pile as an afterthought4 ,bob looked dubiously at the tools as his uncle deposited them near at hand4 ,are we going to sharpen them all1 ,uncle ,joe8 he inquired1 as he took hold of the handle and set the stone turning4 ,oh1 this is only a short job1 laughed his uncle1 as he picked up a dull axe and pressed the bit so heavily against the stone that it stopped4 ,why1 what's the matter1 ,bob--not tired before you get started1 are you8 he laughed4 ,bob made no reply4 ,he needed all his strength to turn the stone4 ,after a few minutes' work against his uncle's weight1 he was compelled to quit4 ,can't we oil or grease it up or do something to make it turn easier1 ,uncle ,joe8 he asked as he straightened up4 ,bah1 who ever heard of oiling a grindstone8 answered his uncle1 throwing some water on the bearings1 which caused a lot of rust to work out at the ends4 ,i guess you'd like to go fishing to-day1 instead of working8 he observed4 ,no1 ,uncle ,joe1 ,i'm willing to work1 replied ,bob1 but you don't know how hard this old stone turns4 ,oh1 ,i don't1 don't ,i8 said his uncle4 ,well1 ,i turned this stone1 ,bob1 before you were born1 and your father turned it before me4 ,and you never put any oil or grease on it all that time8 inquired ,bob4 ,of course not1 said his uncle1 only elbow grease4 ,we boys always had enough of that to keep the stone running in those days1 he continued with a sarcastic smile4 ,well1 there might have been an excuse in those days1 ,uncle ,joe1 for using a hand-power grindstone1 but there certainly is none in these days1 with water power1 electricity and gasoline1 he added1 between breaths1 as he began tugging away again at the handle4 ,if you wouldn't waste your energy talking nonsense and turn faster1 we would get done sooner1 said his uncle bearing down harder than ever4 ,bob stopped turning and stood up as straight as his aching back would allow him1 and looking his uncle square in the eyes1 said3 ,suppose you turn a while1 ,uncle ,joe1 and ,i'll hold the axe4 ,no1 you just keep on turning--you don't know how to grind an axe1 replied his uncle2 besides1 that's the boy's job4 ,perhaps you could teach me how it's done1 while you're turning1 said ,bob1 not offering to continue4 ,that's only fair1 ,joe1 said his grandfather1 coming up suddenly behind them and overhearing what was said4 ,the old stone does seem to turn harder than ever these days4 ,well1 ,i'll show you how easy it turns1 said his uncle1 starting the stone spinning1 but looked up quickly a moment later as it suddenly slowed down to a dead stop1 for his father1 instead of ,bob1 was holding the axe against it4 ,go on1 ,joe2 don't stop2 it's only a boy's job1 he laughed1 as he bore down so hard on the axe that the stone could not be started4 ,where are you going1 ,bob8 asked his uncle1 as ,bob started in the direction of the barn4 ,i'm going to the wagon shed1 ,uncle ,joe1 to get some axle grease and see if we can't make the stone turn easier4 ,the metal plates covering the bearings were removed1 and the caked rust pried out from between the rollers1 for the stone had been mounted on small cast-iron wheels or rollers1 but the wheels had been allowed to become rusted and finally had ceased to revolve4 ,when the rust had all been cleaned out and the wheels removed and cleaned1 they were well greased and replaced4 ,now try it1 ,bob1 said his grandfather1 smiling2 it's a poor rain that doesn't bring some good4 ,the stone now spun around easily in the hands of the willing boy1 and by noon all the tools had been ground1 including some additional ones that his grandfather1 seeing the work going so fast1 had added to the pile4 ,when all were finished1 ,bob wiped them off with a greasy rag1 while his grandfather stood watching him keenly4 ,you'll make a good farmer some day1 ,bob1 he said a little later1 for ,i see you use your head as well as your muscle4 ,all my life ,i've been grinding farm tools1 but ,i never once greased them to keep them from getting rusty1 and they were mostly rusty1 too1 when ,i wanted to use them1 he added with a dry smile4 ,how'd you like to have the afternoon off1 ,bob1 to fish8 asked his uncle after dinner1 looking at the rain4 ,fine1 ,uncle ,joe6 ,perhaps ,i could catch a mess for supper1 the boy replied1 and without waiting for any further suggestions started for the woodshed to get his rod and line4 ,he was soon sitting on the end of the log carriage under the shelter of the saw-mill roof1 his line dangling into the water of the forebay1 waiting for a bite4 ,he had been seated only a few moments when his attention was attracted by a small automobile bouncing over the deep- rutted road1 a few yards to the south of the mill4 ,when it got nearly opposite1 one of the rear tires1 with a loud report1 blew out1 and it came to a sudden stop4 ,two men got out of the car1 but after looking up at the sky decided to wait until the shower was over before making the repairs4 ,so1 turning up their coat collars1 they ran over to the shelter of the mill4 ,they did not seem to notice ,bob as they came up a plank at the opposite end1 but sat down on a log with their back to him4 ,as they seated themselves1 one of the men took out his cigar case and passed it to the other4 ,we'd better be careful about smoking in a saw mill1 ,john1 don't you think8 remarked the other1 as he hesitated to take the proffered cigar4 ,oh1 that's all right1 ,al1 said his friend4 ,just be careful where you throw the match4 ,this must be a pretty old mill1 ,john1 said the one called ,al1 a few moments later1 as1 his cigar lighted1 he gazed around at the structure4 ,well1 it's been here for some time1 that's sure1 his friend replied4 ,don't they ever use it any more8 ,don't look as though they have cut any lumber here in years1 remarked ,al4 ,no1 the timber's pretty well cut down around here1 ,al1 and one doesn't haul it very far in these days of portable steam mills4 ,in the old days1 you know1 they hauled the tree to the mill2 nowadays1 they take the mill to the tree4 ,it's the modern idea4 ,but ,i should think they would use the power for other things1 his friend persisted4 ,for one thing1 the water would be able to run a small generator and supply the farm with electric lights4 ,electric light6 ,ha6 ,ha6 ,joe ,williams using electric lights on his farm--that's a good one1 ,al4 ,well1 why not8 demanded his friend4 ,electricity is not a new thing1 even in the country1 and there certainly are enough uses for power on a farm that would pay for a plant in a very short time4 ,yes1 but you don't know ,joe ,williams1 ,al1 persisted his friend4 ,well1 who is he1 then1 that he never heard of electricity8 demanded ,al4 ,oh1 he's heard of electricity all right2 but you see he's not progressive--he has no 'git up and git1' as they say around here4 ,of course1 he expects to find electric lights and concrete sidewalks in town1 but electric lights on his farm and good roads from here to town would never enter his head1 was the reply4 ,has he always lived here8 ,doesn't he ever get far enough away from home to know what the rest of the world is doing1 or is he just plain lazy8 asked his friend4 ,neither1 ,al4 ,in fact1 he spent two years on the big farms in the ,west1 and ,i had hoped he would wake up our farmers with new ideas when he came back and bought the old homestead4 ,but ,i've been disappointed4 ,he's one of those powerful men1 who thinks that farming is a matter of physical strength rather than thoughtful planning4 ,he doesn't seem to see the advantage of headwork4 ,true1 it's going to take a lot of hard work to redeem this old place with its dilapidated buildings and broken-down fences1 but headwork will help a lot4 ,why1 do you know1 ,al1 the acreage wasted by rail fences on this farm alone would raise enough corn each year to send a boy to college4 ,yes1 and what's more1 he continued1 here's an old pond full of the richest soil in the whole county--soil that's been washed down from the fertile fields for years--to say nothing of the drainage from three big barns2 and what does it produce8--nothing4 ,do you know1 if ,i owned this farm1 ,i'd open the gates and let the water out1 put in some drain tile and plant this bottom land in corn4 ,why1 when that corn got ripe1 you couldn't find a ladder long enough in the county to reach up to the ears1 the stalks would grow so high4 ,well1 that would be some tall corn1 ,john1 laughed his friend1 but ,i've no doubt it's just as you say--this bottom would raise fine corn4 ,speaking of that1 you ought to see some of the corn ,i've seen in the bottom lands out in ,illinois and ,iowa1 ,but what about electricity if you do away with the dam8 ,do you see those two beech trees down there1 near the fence where the brook cuts in between the two steep banks8 asked ,john pointing4 ,yes1 ,i do1 said his friend4 ,well1 do you notice how the banks approach each other at that point8 ,a thirty-or forty-foot dam built across there would back up the water over an acre or two of ground in there--that land is unfit for anything else--and it would give them all the water they'd need for cutting ice in the winter and swimming in the summer2 and as for electricity1 a little direct-connection unit run by gasoline and setting in one corner of the garage1 where it would be near at hand1 would do the trick nicely4 ,you know1 ,al1 he continued1 the trouble with our farmers is they don't manage right4 ,now take ,joe ,williams here for an example4 ,here's wasted water power2 he's still turning the old grind-stone by hand1 and probably will all his life1 unless someone wakes him up4 ,then here's this good bottom land wasted4 ,why1 it was only last week he came in to see me at the bank to borrow a thousand dollars--said he was going to get married and needed some money to set himself up in housekeeping1 as he's put all his money into buying the farm4 ,said he's going to marry a woman who's used to a little better than farm life1 and1 now that he's got his brother's boy helping him1 he would like to put on another team4 ,did you loan him the money1 ,john8 asked his friend1 keenly interested4 ,no1 ,i didn't1 ,al4 ,i told him ,i'd think it over4 ,in fact1 it was to look things over that ,i came out here to-day1 he replied4 ,i don't know whether ,i mentioned to you1 ,john1 remarked his friend1 but the ,farmers' ,mutual ,life ,insurance ,company1 which ,i represent1 is seeking all the farm loans they can find4 ,we consider them the best loans to-day4 ,how's that1 ,al8 asked the banker4 ,well1 it's like this4 ,you loan a farmer a thousand dollars and in nearly every case the money goes to improve the land1 hence makes the value that much greater4 ,then a wide-awake farmer generally wakes up his neighbors and the value of all the farms goes up1 which naturally makes our risk less4 ,we don't care how bad a farm may be run down1 ,john1 if the farmer is a live one--one who has the 'git up and git1' as you say--we'll advance him any reasonable amount of money to help him4 ,and that1 by the way1 brings me around to tell you why ,i dropped off to see you this morning4 ,we want to place some of our surplus funds in farm loans in your section and would like to have your bank handle them for us4 ,why1 ,al1 that's fine4 ,i've a small policy myself in your company1 and it's certainly good of you to pick out the ,first ,national to place these loans4 ,i'll be a real booster for your company now4 ,but referring to wasted opportunities1 ,al1 do you see that sand and gravel pit over there on the other side of the pond8 ,there's enough sand and gravel there1 ,i've no doubt1 to supply this entire county with concrete fence posts1 silos1 barns and all manner of buildings1 to say nothing of building fine concrete roads throughout the whole county4 ,and ,i'll tell you something more3 ,joe ,williams hasn't waked up to the fact that there's a railroad coming through about three miles below his farm that will require thousands of yards of sand and gravel for concrete bridges1 and that this is the only sand and gravel pit within a reasonable haul that's worth while4 ,why1 do you know1 ,al1 for years and years they've been letting people drive in here and haul away sand and gravel free of charge4 ,you don't say6 exclaimed his friend4 ,yes1 but speaking of concrete1 ,al1 just think what a saving in horseflesh a twenty-foot smooth concrete road all the way from here to town would mean to these farmers--recent tests with a three-ton auto truck show that while it could make only #c4f miles per hour over dirt roads1 it could make twelve miles per hour over unsurfaced concrete roads1 which would represent in the ,united ,states a saving of nearly two and one-half million dollars on auto-truck hauling alone1 to say nothing of horse-drawn vehicles--just think of it1 ,al4 ,but there's that old dirt road1 same as it's been for years1 hub deep with mud in spring and winter1 and so dusty in summer that there is no pleasure in driving over it1 and a dead loss in both time and money every time a farmer drives over it4 ,it's surely the roughest road ,i've ever traveled on1 ,john1 laughed his friend1 and ,i've no doubt what you say is right4 ,if farmers would only take to using lead pencils and figure a little they would soon discover where their losses are4 ,you know the old way of repairing roads1 ,al4 ,they dig the dirt out of the gutters in the springtime and fill up the rut holes1 and then the next spring do the same thing over again1 from 'generation to generation1' as the good ,book says4 ,i'm satisfied myself1 he continued1 that our county will never go ahead until we begin putting down good roads4 ,i was telling our ,commissioners only yesterday that the ,first ,national ,bank would guarantee the bond issue for any road- building work they would undertake in any part of the county4 ,the two men sat in silence for a time1 looking out at the rain4 ,then they got up and started to walk to the other end of the mill4 ,why1 hello1 boy6 ,fishing8 remarked ,al1 as he noticed ,bob for the first time4 ,yes1 replied ,bob4 ,catching anything1 are you8 asked the banker4 ,well1 you never can tell what you can catch on a rainy day1 the boy replied slowly4 ,uncle ,joe greased the grindstone to-day for the first time in its history4 ,you don't say6 laughed the banker2 who put him up to that1 ,i'd like to know8 ,bob only grinned and remained silent4 ,well1 it looks as though the rain were going to pass over1 said the banker a few minutes later1 as he looked out at his stranded automobile4 ,what's your name1 young man8 inquired the insurance man4 ,bob ,williams1 he replied4 ,oh1 then you are ,billy ,williams' son1 who's working here this summer1 said the banker4 ,well1 how does it happen that you're fishing instead of working to-day1 ,i'd like to know8 ,couldn't your ,uncle ,joe find anything for you to do8 ,yes1 he did2 but we greased the grindstone and got through at noon1 ,bob replied smiling4 ,well1 he was square in letting you have the afternoon off after you showed him how to save it1 the banker replied4 ,some time1 ,bob1 when you're in town1 drop in and see me at the bank1 and1 by the way1 if you ever catch any turtles1 bring them to me4 ,i'll be glad to pay you fifty cents each for all you can catch4 ,i'm rather fond of a good snapper4 ,what are you going to do now8 inquired the insurance man1 seeing ,bob winding up his fishing line4 ,guess ,i'll go up to the barn and look for some lumber to build a long ladder1 the boy replied grinning4 ,well1 so long1 ,bob1 said the insurance man with a smile4 ,good luck to you6 ,i see you've good ears4 ,,iv ,,draining ,,the ,,pond ,it was quite evident to ,bob the next morning that his uncle was worrying about something2 he was not only absent-minded1 but he was short and crusty and found fault with everything that ,bob did4 ,it was ,sunday1 and after the chores were finished1 ,bob walked down back of the barn and stood looking at the pond for quite a while1 pondering over what the banker and insurance man had said4 ,then he walked over to the west slope which ran along the side of the small hill where the house and barn stood and examined the contour of the ground carefully4 ,what are you trying to discover in the hog lot1 ,bob8 asked his uncle1 suddenly coming up behind him4 ,bob's face was very serious1 and he looked up at his uncle a moment before replying4 ,i was just wondering how much it would cost to hire a man to grade a road up the side of this slope and get rid of the steep hill in front of the barn4 ,what an idea6 exclaimed his uncle4 ,hire a man1 indeed6 ,you must be crazy4 ,we don't hire any men to work on this farm4 ,oh1 yes1 you do--you hired me1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,well1 but that's different1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 half smiling4 ,you don't get paid4 ,oh1 yes1 ,i do1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,father said you told him you'd pay me whatever ,i was worth to you1 and ,i'm willing to wait till you find out1 but ,i certainly expect to be paid money for my work4 ,your father shouldn't have told you ,i'd give you money4 ,of course1 he added quickly1 seeing ,bob's face cloud1 ,i expect to get you some new clothes in the fall4 ,but father said ,i'm old enough now to buy my own clothes and that this year he'd let me do it4 ,you just keep account of how much work and other things ,i do for you and pay me what ,i'm worth1 ,bob answered4 ,what do you mean about other things8 asked his uncle quickly4 ,well1 for instance1 said ,bob1 looking him squarely in the eyes1 you want to borrow a thousand dollars at the ,first ,national ,bank and they haven't told you whether they'd give it to you or not4 ,who told you that8 demanded his uncle coloring4 ,i don't care to say1 replied ,bob1 but it wasn't grandmother or grandfather1 he added quickly1 to clear them of any suspicion of having violated a confidence4 ,of course1 they didn't1 said his uncle4 ,they don't know anything about it4 ,i can tell you how you can get all the money you want--enough even to build a new house and a new barn1 with silos1 new fences1 and other buildings4 ,also a concrete road from the house to the main road and put a bathroom and electric lights in the house1 too1 ,bob added4 ,have you gone crazy8 demanded his uncle1 scarcely able to believe his ears4 ,what nonsense are you talking this morning8 ,well1 you want to find out how it can be done1 don't you8 he asked4 ,well1 it won't do any harm to tell me1 replied his uncle1 suddenly remembering his approaching marriage and how far his slender purse would go toward fixing up the place and making it presentable to his bride4 ,drain the pond and plant it in corn1 said ,bob triumphantly4 ,what's that8 asked his uncle again1 not sure he heard correctly4 ,drain the pond and plant it in corn1 repeated ,bob4 ,you won't have to wait till you sell the corn1 either1 to get the money4 ,how's that8 asked his uncle1 interested in spite of himself4 ,well1 all ,i can tell you is to do it and the ,first ,national ,bank will make the loan4 ,whoever heard of such a thing as planting corn in an old mill pond1 scoffed his uncle4 ,i did1 replied ,bob smiling4 ,who told you8 demanded his uncle1 looking him over from head to foot1 for ,bob with his ideas was getting to be more and more of a puzzle to him every day as he upset the long-established farm traditions4 ,the president of the bank himself1 declared ,bob4 ,at least ,i overheard him tell another man that he would4 ,you overheard ,john ,white1 president of the ,first ,national ,bank1 discussing with someone else that ,i wanted to borrow a thousand dollars8 ,i don't believe it4 ,john ,white wouldn't discuss my affairs with anyone1 especially when boys are standing around listening1 vehemently declared his uncle4 ,i wasn't standing around listening1 said ,bob blushing4 ,i was fishing in the pond yesterday and ,i sat in the mill to get out of the rain4 ,i was fishing in the forebay1 and they came in the mill to wait until the rain was over and sat down and talked4 ,what6 ,they talked about me8 demanded his uncle4 ,they talked about you and grandfather and all the other farmers around here4 ,said you farmers never used your heads and let your farms run down1 when all you had to do was to show him you had some 'git up and git' and you could have all the money you wanted4 ,well1 if that's so1 then why didn't he give it to me when ,i asked him8 demanded his uncle4 ,that was because he was disappointed in you4 ,you've not yet shown any 'git up and git1' replied ,bob4 ,what do you mean by 'git up and git'8 asked his uncle4 ,why1 things like draining the pond and making it raise corn instead of letting it lie there a waste2 building a new road up to the barn that won't be so steep you can't haul a load up or down2 building new wire fences with concrete posts and a new barn with silos1 and-- ,stop6 shouted his enraged uncle4 ,you're only talking to hear yourself1 ,bob1 and ,i'm not sure but you're talking to make fun of me4 ,i've a good notion to get a buggy whip and whale you for such impertinence1 he declared1 his anger suddenly getting the better of him4 ,no 'git up and git'6 ,you know yourself ,i work from before daylight until long after dark as it is4 ,what does he expect me to do8 ,just work from six o'clock in the morning until six at night1 then you can spend the rest of the time planning how to improve the farm4 ,did he say that1 ,bob8 demanded his uncle1 looking down at the ground4 ,well1 not just that way1 replied ,bob1 but that's what he meant4 ,he did say1 though1 he would make the loan if you could show him you knew how to improve the farm1 and he did say that if ,,he owned the farm the first thing he'd do would be to drain the pond and plant it in corn4 ,it was his friend that suggested the electric lights--and he wasn't joking1 either1 ,uncle ,joe1 stoutly declared ,bob with much earnestness4 ,come over to the barn1 ,bob1 said his uncle after considering the matter a moment1 and tell me just what they said4 ,they went over and sat on the fence on the south side of the barn from which point of vantage they could see the pond4 ,bob now described in detail all that he had overheard1 his uncle interrupting from time to time to ask questions4 ,when he had finished they sat in silence for quite a while1 then his uncle jumped down from the fence and turning to ,bob said3 ,come on1 ,bob1 let's go' down and see how we can drain the old pond4 ,i'll make a bargain with you now4 ,your father told you ,i'd be willing to pay you what you could earn4 ,well1 that goes1 and if you leave it to me1 ,i'll settle square with you in the fall1 but there's one thing ,i want you to do and that's to promise me you won't tell a soul about this matter1 and you and ,i'll make some of them around here sit up and take notice before we get through4 ,i'll promise1 said ,bob1 if you'll let me make one exception4 ,why1 who's that8 asked his uncle1 surprised at his answer4 ,aunt ,bettie1 said ,bob4 ,his uncle was touched by the thought that ,bob was not willing to exclude his new aunt-to-be from participating in what would probably be her greatest joy--the success of her husband4 ,you don't know her yet1 ,bob1 he said4 ,no1 replied ,bob1 but grandmother described her to me and ,i know ,i'm going to like her4 ,i'm glad now ,i didn't go to church this morning1 ,bob--you've given me an idea1 remarked his uncle1 as they walked along the breast of the dam to the mill4 ,well1 here's the gate4 ,i guess this is just as good a time as any to start and they'll hardly consider it working on ,sunday if ,i open it now--so here goes1 and up came the gate1 and the water began rushing out1 sending the idle wheel spinning4 ,they sat in the mill until noon1 listening to the dull rumble of the wheel and watching the water getting lower and lower1 while they debated the best way of planting the bottom4 ,i suppose we'd better go up and get our dinner1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 suddenly coming out of a day dream into which he had fallen almost an hour before4 ,after dinner1 ,uncle ,joe1 may ,i come down and look for some turtles for ,mr4 ,white8 ,he said he'd pay me fifty cents apiece for all ,i could catch4 ,did he8 replied his uncle4 ,i'll help you1 ,bob4 ,we'll bring down a barrel or two and a couple of rakes and have a regular turtle hunt1 he laughed4 ,they can't get out of the sluiceway gate1 there's a wooden grating there4 ,as soon as they had finished their dinner1 they put on some old clothes1 including rubber boots4 ,then ,bob got the water barrels and two rakes and put them on a stone drag1 while his uncle harnessed up old ,frank4 ,they rode down the hill to the pond and near the spillway they unhitched the horse and tied him to a tree4 ,the water had fallen so much already that there were little shallow pools scattered all over the bottom of the pond1 and in some of these they could already see the heads of surprised turtles sticking out4 ,they took their rakes and waded out to one of these pools4 ,the bottom of the pond was so soft they sank nearly up to their boot tops4 ,bob1 who was the first to arrive at the pool1 drew his rake across the shallow water and a big struggling snapping turtle was overturned and dragged out4 ,there's a big one1 ,uncle ,joe1 he exclaimed1 as he drew the turtle from the water4 ,all right1 ,bob1 ,i've got him1 said his uncle1 grasping the turtle by the tail4 ,now look for another while ,i put this one in the barrel4 ,hurry1 ,uncle ,joe2 ,i've a big one here1 he called1 and his uncle came splashing back through the mud as fast as he could to secure the prize4 ,two more were gotten from this pool and then they moved on to another4 ,the second pool contained four1 and as soon as they had them out of the water they dropped their rakes and grasping a tail in each hand they waded through the mud to the shore4 ,say1 ,uncle ,joe1 there must be a lot of 'em in there4 ,i guess ,mr4 ,white will be surprised when he sees them all4 ,why1 ,bob1 you surely won't take them all in at once1 said his uncle1 starting to pry something out of the mud that proved to be a turtle still larger than any they had yet found4 ,why not8 said ,bob4 ,he didn't say bring in one or two--he just said he'd pay fifty cents each for all ,i could catch2 so ,i'm going to take them all at once1 before he changes his mind about them4 ,maybe after he's eaten three or four he won't be willing to buy any more4 ,three or four1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 why1 ,i really believe we'll get a barrel full4 ,all the better1 said ,bob1 as he scraped out another big one from behind an old log4 ,they're in here thick as thieves4 ,it was nearly sundown when they finished the hunt and by that time most of the boys in the neighborhood had learned that the water was being drained from the pond and that a turtle hunt was on and had come down to see the fun4 ,they were astonished at the number of turtles they found1 for after giving every boy one1 they had two barrels full and eight big turtles beside4 ,how many have you got1 ,bob8 asked his uncle1 as they hitched up the horse and started for the house4 ,sixty-three1 ,uncle ,joe1 counting the big one4 ,why1 that'll be over thirty dollars1 said his uncle thoughtfully1 but ,i told you they were yours1 ,bob2 you suggested the idea and ,i'll stick to it4 ,well1 it only goes to show1 replied ,bob1 that ,mr4 ,white was right4 ,we've lots of resources we're neglecting to develop4 ,when they reached the barnyard they put the turtles in the corn crib until morning1 for they didn't have enough empty water barrels for them to swim in4 ,they then went into the house and got rid of their muddy clothes4 ,well1 ,i'm glad ,i lived long enough to see the old pond drained1 remarked ,bob's grandmother at supper that night4 ,i always said it was a great nuisance1 as well as a waste of good bottom land--now that there's no more logs to be sawed4 ,but you shouldn't have done it on ,sunday1 ,joe2 you should have waited until to-morrow4 ,v ,,selling ,,turtles ,a little after nine o'clock the following morning1 ,john ,white1 president of the ,first ,national ,bank1 and his friend1 ,alfred ,dow1 superintendent of agencies of the ,farmers' ,mutual ,life ,insurance ,company1 of ,new ,york ,city1 walked up ,sixth ,avenue from the banker's home and turned into ,philadelphia ,street4 ,they were engaged in earnest conversation and had reached the bank before they noticed a farm wagon with a boy perched on the driver's seat1 standing near the curb4 ,where do you want me to deliver your turtles1 ,mr4 ,white8 called the boy1 and the men turned to look at the speaker4 ,why1 hello1 ,bob6 exclaimed the banker4 ,did you get me a turtle already8 ,then turning to his friend1 he remarked1 ,i can now give you that promised turtle dinner1 ,al4 ,how many did you catch1 ,bob8 he asked1 coming over to the wagon4 ,sixty-three1 replied ,bob1 but ,i kept one for myself4 ,what's that you're saying8 asked the astonished banker4 ,sixty-three turtles for me8 ,no1 only sixty-two for you1 ,mr4 ,white2 ,i kept one for myself1 replied ,bob smiling4 ,but1 ,bob1 what would ,i do with sixty-two turtles8 ,i couldn't eat that many in ten years4 ,well1 you didn't say you'd eat them1 said ,bob continuing to smile4 ,you only said you'd pay fifty cents each for all ,i could catch and bring to you4 ,that's right1 ,bob2 he did say that1 interrupted ,mr4 ,dow1 enjoying the situation4 ,i'll back you1 ,bob4 ,he made a verbal contract with you for all you could catch4 ,i heard him say so myself4 ,but1 great guns1 ,al1 what will ,i do with so many turtles8 asked the banker1 looking hopelessly from one to the other4 ,i'll tell you what1 said his friend still laughing2 our company's going to give a dinner in ,pittsburgh day after tomorrow to our ,western ,pennsylvania agents4 ,i've been looking for a novelty for the dinner and this will do fine4 ,we'll go into the bank and call up the ,fort ,henry ,hotel and talk with the manager4 ,we'll sell him the turtles and you come down and have dinner with us and meet our men4 ,they were gone about twenty minutes1 and both were laughing when they returned4 ,you win1 ,bob1 said the banker4 ,all right1 laughed the happy boy4 ,where do you want them delivered and who'll count them8 ,take them over to the express office1 and ,i'll take your word for the count1 ,bob4 ,tell them ,i'll send over the shipping directions later4 ,how about the grain sacks8 asked ,bob4 ,the turtles are mine1 but the grain sacks belong to ,uncle ,joe1 and ,i'll have to charge you extra for them unless you guarantee that they'll be returned4 ,i'll guarantee to have them returned1 said the banker1 but tell me1 ,bob1 how in the world did you catch sixty-three turtles since ,saturday afternoon8 ,uncle ,joe drained the pond yesterday1 replied ,bob1 smiling back at them as he started for the express office4 ,a half hour later he walked into the bank and stepping up to the cashier's window asked for the president4 ,he's in a conference in the directors' room1 replied the cashier4 ,are you ,bob ,williams8 ,yes1 he replied4 ,come this way1 he said4 ,the president left word to have you shown in as soon as you returned4 ,turtles seem to be biting pretty good this weather1 he laughed1 as he conducted him to a small room in the rear of the bank4 ,bob had never had much to do with banks2 indeed1 he could count on the fingers of one hand all the times he had ever been inside of one1 and as to a directors' private room1 he did not even know there was such a place1 let alone ever having been in one4 ,it was not to be wondered at then that he was embarrassed when he entered the room a moment later and saw the president and his friend seated in comfortable leather chairs before a large mahogany table4 ,back already1 ,bob8 asked the banker4 ,i don't suppose you thought to inquire how much the express charges will be on those turtles to ,pittsburgh8 ,yes1 ,i did4 ,they weighed #cgh pounds1 and the rate is #ge cents per hundred pounds--that makes #b4fc1 he replied1 drawing a small notebook from his pocket and consulting a memorandum he had made4 ,do you always figure out things8 asked the banker1 apparently much interested that ,bob had taken the trouble to find out the rate and figure the cost of the expressage to ,pittsburgh4 ,i do most always1 he answered4 ,i learned to do that selling chickens and keeping account of the milk ,gurney gives4 ,don't you keep a record of the milk all your cows give8 asked ,mr4 ,dow4 ,oh1 ,gurney is our cow at home--not one of ,uncle ,joe's cows4 ,gurney's a purebred with a pedigree1 he declared proudly4 ,when are you going to start keeping a record of the cows on the farm1 ,bob8 asked the banker4 ,i don't know1 replied ,bob4 ,uncle ,joe don't believe in it yet4 ,he thinks it's a waste of time1 and he always laughs when ,i tell him that it is the only way to find out if a cow's worth her keep1 but1 he added smiling1 he drained the pond and he didn't believe in that two days ago4 ,i suppose you want the money for the turtles1 ,bob1 said the banker1 getting back to the main subject4 ,well1 yes1 he said1 but who's buying them1 ,mr4 ,white--you or ,mr4 ,dow8 ,ha1 ha1 laughed the banker4 ,this is where you get stuck1 ,al4 ,why1 how's that8 asked his friend4 ,well1 said the banker1 ,i asked the manager of the ,fort ,henry how much he'd pay a pound for nice fat turtles4 ,you see1 ,bob1 ,i reduce everything to figures1 too4 ,look at this and you'll see why it pays4 ,bob took the paper and read #cgh pounds turtles1 at #cj cents per pound--#ge4fj1 less #b4fc expressage--#gb4ig4 ,but you haven't deducted anything for your own trouble1 ,mr4 ,white1 said ,bob1 scarcely able to believe his eyes4 ,don't you intend to charge anything for selling them to the hotel8 ,father says every business man must make profit on the things he sells1 if he wants to keep in business4 ,well1 ,bob1 ,i'm not going to charge you a commission on this deal4 ,i've had too much fun already sticking my friend ,al here a stiff price for the turtles1 he added laughing4 ,don't think you've turned such a clever trick1 ,john1 replied his friend4 ,the hotel's only paying about #dj more than you were willing to pay yourself1 and probably won't use half of them for our dinner4 ,besides1 ,i've gotten a fine idea for my talk at our meeting on ,wednesday night4 ,what's that8 asked the banker4 ,hidden ,treasure1 replied his friend4 ,why1 just look what's happened to ,bob here in two days4 ,on ,saturday there was a pond occupying fifteen acres of the best ground on the farm and producing nothing4 ,to-day he has #gb4ig and has prepared the way for the finest field of corn that will be raised this year in the county1 if not the state1 and there's no telling what he may do yet when he gets his ,uncle ,joe thoroughly waked up1 he laughed4 ,by the way1 ,bob1 do you want your money in cash8 asked the banker looking at him keenly4 ,if it's all the same to you1 ,mr4 ,white1 ,i'd like to leave it here on deposit1 replied ,bob4 ,put it in the savings department1 ,bob1 suggested ,mr4 ,dow1 then you'll get interest4 ,say1 ,bob1 he continued1 tell your ,uncle ,joe ,i'm going to have our agent see him and show him how he can protect his family while he's paying for the farm4 ,all right1 ,i'll tell him1 ,bob replied4 ,when ,bob drove into the barnyard just before noon his uncle hurried over and looked into the wagon4 ,why1 did he take all the turtles1 ,bob8 he inquired1 surprised to find the wagon empty4 ,yes1 he took them1 said ,bob1 and sold them right away to the ,fort ,henry ,hotel in ,pittsburgh4 ,he called them up on the long distance telephone4 ,how much did he pay you for them8 was the next inquiry4 #gb4ig1 replied ,bob proudly4 ,what6 for those turtles6 exclaimed his uncle4 ,i don't believe it4 ,well1 you don't have to believe me1 ,bob laughed as he jumped from the wagon4 ,i've the proof here4 ,and he proudly exhibited his new bank book4 ,the look of surprise on his uncle's face gave way to one of disappointment4 ,of course1 ,uncle ,joe1 ,i put the money in the bank--,i didn't want to carry it around1 he added4 ,his uncle said nothing more1 but turned on his heel and walked away4 ,it was very evident to ,bob that he had changed his mind and expected him to turn over the proceeds from the sale of the turtles1 but he was determined that his uncle should stick to his agreement4 ,uncle ,joe1 he called1 as his uncle reached the gate4 ,mr4 ,white told me to tell you that the matter you were discussing with him was all right and that he would be glad to see you any time4 ,oh1 he did1 said his uncle1 turning and coming back to the wagon1 where ,bob was unhitching the team4 ,yes1 he did1 said ,bob1 said he'd accommodate you any time you were in town4 ,well1 ,i'm glad you drove a good bargain for the sale of the turtles1 ,bob1 remarked his uncle1 the look of disappointment gone4 ,i said they were yours and ,i want you to know that ,i still feel the same way about it4 ,thank you1 ,uncle ,joe1 replied ,bob1 as he started for the barn with the team4 ,,vi ,,selling ,,sand ,bob1 said his uncle after dinner1 as they were bringing the horses from the barn1 the old pond looks as though it might take all summer to dry out4 ,then1 too1 the brook winds through the center of it in such a way as to really spoil the field for farming4 ,why couldn't we straighten the brook1 ,uncle ,joe1 asked ,bob1 after a moment's thought1 or move it over to the south side against the bank there4 ,that would make it almost a straight line between the lane bridge and the old forebay4 ,but that would make a lot of work1 ,bob1 replied his uncle1 and we have more now than we have time for4 ,it would be a good idea though to have the brook on the outside of the field2 but what bothers me most is how we're going to keep the field from being flooded every time it rains4 ,to this ,bob made no reply4 ,all afternoon1 as they were hauling manure to the field1 he kept turning over in his mind the question of straightening the brook1 for it was now evident that in order to make the field a success the brook would not only have to be straightened but moved over to the south side1 so as to have the field all in one piece4 ,he realized now that the easiest part of redeeming the pond had been the letting out of the water1 and also that his uncle was right in saying that it might take all summer for the bottom to dry out sufficiently for planting4 ,bob had persuaded his uncle to let him stop work in the afternoon at four-thirty in order to have time to do the milking and chores1 and he found that by hurrying he could get through before six o'clock4 ,so that night in the early twilight1 he paced off the length of the south side of the pond and found it was approximately seven hundred feet from the bridge to the forebay4 ,he remembered that1 except on rare occasions1 the opening between the abutments of the bridge that carried the lane over the brook had always been sufficient to take care of any water4 ,he now measured this space and found that the abutments were eighteen feet apart and from the under side of the timbers to the bed of the brook it was four feet six inches4 ,he returned to the house and got out his notebook and began making some calculations4 ,he found the area of the space under the bridge to be eighty-one square feet4 ,if they could dig a ditch back a few feet from the south bank of the pond1 where the ground rose sharply1 and throw the excavated earth on the north side of the cut1 they would have a channel with two good banks at the expense of making only one4 ,by pacing off eighteen feet of the bank1 he had found that the slope of the ground would average about two feet for that distance4 ,the depth of the water along the bank on the south side had been about two feet4 ,by digging three feet below the level of the bottom of the pond it would mean an average cut of six feet4 ,taking out a block of earth approximately eighteen feet by six feet1 of one hundred and eight square feet1 would raise the banks high enough to allow for heavy freshets1 and the bottom of the ditch1 being three feet below the bottom of the pond1 would allow for drainage4 ,he now calculated the amount of earth to be removed and found there would be twenty-eight hundred cubic yards to be dug and piled up to form the new north bank of the cut4 ,he had no idea how much time it would require to do this work1 or what it might cost if they hired a man to do it for them4 ,after sitting for a few minutes debating the matter1 he became so sleepy that he put his notebook in his pocket and went to bed4 ,how long will it take you to dig a cubic yard of earth and pile it out on one side of a ditch1 ,uncle ,joe8 asked ,bob the next morning at the breakfast table4 ,i don't know1 ,bob4 ,why do you ask8 ,i wanted to find out how much it would cost to straighten the brook in our new bottom field1 he replied4 ,well1 ,i know one thing1 said his uncle1 and that is that it will cost more than ,i can afford to spend2 and you know1 ,bob1 we have no time for digging ditches ourselves--in fact1 it seems to me it was a great mistake to drain the pond at all--the water at least covered the bad-smelling bottom1 and we could shoot an occasional wild duck there4 ,i'm not so sure about it being too expensive1 replied ,bob4 ,mr4 ,white said yesterday that it didn't matter so much what an improvement cost1 if it could be made to pay the interest on the investment and earn a profit beside4 ,all ,i need to know now to complete my figures is how much earth a man can dig and then ,i can tell how much it would cost4 ,if you want to know so badly1 ,bob1 why don't you take a pick and shovel and dig out a yard1 and find out for yourself1 suggested his grandmother4 ,yes1 said his uncle1 then you'd know what a real backache feels like4 ,all right1 said ,bob1 when may ,i do it8 turning to his uncle4 ,well1 ,i suppose you might as well do it this morning as any time1 said his uncle4 ,i know you won't be able to sleep to-night until you find out2 besides1 ,i'm going to town and you can have the forenoon off4 ,that'll be fine1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob1 and there's another thing too1 ,i wanted to ask you4 ,i see wagons hauling sand and gravel from our pit4 ,who collects the money and how much do you charge them8 ,charge a neighbor for a few loads of sand1 ,bob8 ,what are you talking about8 ,of course not4 ,but if you went to their farms1 ,uncle ,joe1 and asked for the rich soil out of their fields1 they'd make you pay for it4 ,why1 of course1 ,bob1 but rich soil and sand and gravel are different4 ,there's plenty of sand and gravel4 ,where1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,oh1 everywhere4 ,then if that's so1 said ,bob1 why did ,dan ,mc,cormick send his three wagons four miles to our pit last week8 ,he said it was the nearest sand to his farm and what's more he said it's the only clean sand and gravel that don't need washing for fifteen miles around4 ,i think we ought to charge them so much a yard4 ,all right1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 whose mind was evidently occupied with things more important than selling sand4 ,you go ahead and make them pay1 but remember1 if you don't have any friends among your neighbors1 don't blame me4 ,when his uncle returned from town a little after twelve o'clock1 he drove down to see what ,bob was doing1 and found him at work on the ditch4 ,as soon as ,bob saw his uncle's face1 he knew he had received his loan from ,mr4 ,white1 for he was smiling and seemed to be very happy4 ,well1 ,bob1 how are you making out8 he called cheerily1 as he approached1 looking at the excavated dirt thrown out4 ,then his eye caught a double line of stakes set at intervals and running the full length of the pond1 marking out the two sides of the cut4 ,i dug out one cubic yard in forty minutes1 ,uncle ,joe1 but we could do much better with a team of horses and a plow and scoop4 ,allowing thirty cents per hour1 the ditch would cost eight hundred and forty dollars4 ,whee1 said his uncle1 more than we could ever afford to pay1 ,bob1 ,i'm afraid1 even though ,mr4 ,white is in favor of it and agreed to-day to loan me whatever it would cost4 ,oh1 then you told him about it8 said ,bob4 ,how did he like the scheme8 ,he said it was a first-rate idea1 ,bob4 ,he also said we should lay tile field drain through the bottom of the pond to the ditch every fifty feet over the entire field4 ,these would soon drain the bottom and keep the new field dry4 ,i've been wondering1 said ,bob1 what we could do about draining the bottom1 but ,i didn't think of tile1 although it sounds like a good idea4 ,and ,bob took out his notebook and figured for a few minutes4 ,if we put them fifty feet apart1 that would mean twelve rows2 each row would be six hundred feet long--that would mean #gbjj lineal feet4 ,did ,mr4 ,white say what the tile would be worth a foot1 laid1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,no1 he didn't1 ,bob1 and ,i was too busy to ask him4 ,what would you say1 ,uncle ,joe1 remarked ,bob a few minutes later1 if ,i were to tell you we can get the ditch dug1 a new dam built across between the two banks down by the beech trees1 and a road cut up the west slope by the barn1 so as to get rid of that steep hill1 and we won't have to spend one cent4 ,what nonsense are you talking8 demanded his uncle4 ,you just said it would cost eight hundred and forty dollars to dig the ditch alone4 ,so it would1 ,uncle ,joe1 if we dug it by hand4 ,we could probably do it quicker if we used a team of horses and scoop1 but1 of course1 we'd have to allow for the value of the team while it was doing the work1 and1 besides1 it would take too long4 ,well1 then1 how'd it be done8 asked his uncle1 interested in spite of himself1 for after his interview with the president of the ,first ,national that morning he began to look upon ,bob as something more than a chore boy4 ,come over to the sand pit with me1 ,uncle ,joe1 he replied1 and ,i'll show you4 ,together they walked over to the pit and the first thing that caught his uncle's eye was a large sign3 ,sand and ,gravel for ,sale ,price #eoc per cu4 yd4 ,cash or ,labor ,inquire ,robert ,williams ,well1 what does it mean8 asked his uncle1 reading the sign for the second time4 ,it means1 ,uncle ,joe1 that while ,i was still nailing up that sign two men came along in a big gray touring car and stopped1 and one of them wanted to know what we'd take for the pit4 ,i told him we sold our eggs by the dozen and not by what a hen might lay in a year4 ,he laughed and said his name was ,brady and that he had a contract for building some bridges for the new railroad that's coming in three miles down the creek and needed sand and gravel4 ,the gentleman with him1 who ,i judged from what they said was the engineer for the railroad1 seemed to be very much pleased with the kind of sand and gravel we had1 and ,i heard him tell ,mr4 ,brady he'd approve it for the work4 ,after looking the pit over1 ,mr4 ,brady asked what was meant by ',cash or ,labor1' so ,i told him we had some work we wanted done and would be willing to have him give us an estimate on the cost4 ,he asked me what it was and ,i told him it was a ditch1 a dam and a road4 ,so he went up and looked the ditch over1 then we went down to the beech trees and ,i explained to him about the new dam we were going to put in there to generate electric light for the farm4 ,then we rode up to the west slope in his big touring car and he examined the bank there4 ,i showed him my figures for the ditch1 and he made a memorandum of them2 then he said if we would let him have the exclusive use of the sand pit for one year1 taking out as much sand as he needed1 and also let him have the heavy timbers from the old mill1 as he needed them for some shoring he had to do1 he would be willing to tear down the old mill1 dig our ditch1 build us a new dam and a new road1 using his caterpillar steam shovel for the work4 ,what did you say1 ,bob8 eagerly asked his uncle4 ,i told him we couldn't think of it1 replied ,bob with a grin4 ,what6 ,you didn't take him up8 ,what could you have been thinking of1 ,bob8 ,well1 you see1 ,uncle ,joe1 we'll need a lot of sand and gravel ourselves for making concrete fence posts and things like that1 and then we may want to build a concrete road from the main road up to the barn1 and1 of course1 we need a new dairy house and big silo4 ,yes1 ,i know1 ,bob2 the old place is pretty well run down1 said his uncle4 ,mr4 ,white said something to-day about looking ahead and making permanent improvements1 but we can't think of doing that now4 ,i'm not so sure about that1 ,uncle ,joe1 replied ,bob4 ,it seems we've got the only sand and gravel pit within fifteen miles with sand and gravel that the railroad engineer will accept for his work4 ,i overheard him say that to ,mr4 ,brady4 ,well1 what did you finally do about the sand1 ,bob8 inquired his uncle eagerly4 ,i told him the price was fifty cents per cubic yard in the pit1 but we would let him pay for it in work1 if his prices for the work were not too high1 so he's going to make up a figure and come back and see us4 ,i told him ,i thought you'd be willing to let him have the timber from the mill if he would take off the boards and two by fours and haul them over to the sand pit for us4 ,you know1 ,uncle ,joe1 these will come in handy for us to build a shed when we start to make fence posts and other things there4 ,but will he need enough sand to pay for all this work1 ,bob8 asked his uncle1 now greatly excited4 ,yes1 ,i'm sure he'll need more1 for he seemed to be anxious to buy the pit outright4 ,he did6 ,yes1 he did1 but ,i told him we were not willing to sell it1 ,uncle ,joe2 that we expected to put up a lot of concrete buildings on the farm besides building some concrete roads and making a lot of concrete fence posts4 ,well1 ,bob1 ,i guess you did a good half day's work all right1 said his uncle1 and to show you that ,i appreciate the way you've handled this matter1 ,i'll let you make the deal with ,brady when he comes back4 ,they didn't have long to wait1 for about three o'clock that afternoon a big gray touring car came snorting up the steep hill back of the barn and stopped near where they were loading manure4 ,the driver of the car got out and came over to them4 ,this is the ,uncle ,joe1 ,i was telling you about1 ,mr4 ,brady1 said ,bob1 by way of introduction1 as the contractor came up to them4 ,glad to know you1 ,mr4 ,williams4 ,i came up to see you about buying your sand pit4 ,what will you take for it in cash8 ,i haven't a great deal of time to lose1 so ,i brought the money with me1 and he drew from his pocket the largest roll of bills that ,bob had ever seen in his life4 ,you'll have to--to--talk it over with ,bob1 hesitated ,bob's uncle1 for at the sight of so much ready money he began to waver in his resolutions to let ,bob handle the matter4 ,we don't want to sell it1 ,mr4 ,brady1 spoke up ,bob quickly4 ,we want to control the pit ourselves and have sand and gravel for our own use4 ,oh1 that's all right4 ,i'll let you have all you want for your own use1 free of cost1 too1 said ,mr4 ,brady quickly4 ,no1 said ,bob4 ,this is the only sand and gravel pit around here1 and1 when they start building concrete roads in this county1 which they may do any time now1 this pit will be valuable4 ,say1 son1 said the contractor1 you're wasting your time on a farm4 ,you ought to be with me in the contracting business4 ,who's been telling you about this new county road work8 ,no one's been telling me1 said ,bob1 but everyone can see it doesn't pay to haul heavy loads over rough roads to market your crops1 and as for farming1 he added1 it's a good business1 too1 ,mr4 ,brady1 especially if you have a good sand pit on the place1 he added laughing4 ,illustration3 ,,well1 ,,son1 ,,let',s ,,get ,,down ,,to ,,business4 ,i ,,see ,,you',,re ,,wise ,,all ,,right ,,to ,,the ,,value ,,of ,,that ,,pit ,well1 son1 let's get down to business4 ,i see you're wise all right to the value of that pit4 ,how much work do you want me to do and how much money will you want me to give you1 and who's going to keep account of the sand we get and when do we settle for it8 ,you said you had a steam shovel1 ,mr4 ,brady1 said ,bob4 ,is it busy now8 ,we want to get this bottom land ready for corn this year4 ,not doing anything at the present time2 can start your work next week for the shovel's on the railroad siding at ,indiana now1 he replied quickly4 ,what do you charge a day for use of shovel with a man to operate it8 asked ,bob4 ,hold on there1 son2 you'll get to be as smart as ,i am if you keep on at that rate4 ,i don't rent the shovel by the day1 but ,i'll tell you what3 ,i'll do your work on contract4 ,all right1 said ,bob4 ,how much do you want for digging the ditch8 #gjj1 said ,mr4 ,brady1 consulting a memorandum4 ,and how much for building the dam8 #bjj without a concrete spillway and sluice gate and #cej more with them4 ,and how much for the road up the west slope8 ,well1 that won't cost you much1 son2 that's an easier job than it looks4 ,i'll charge you only #ajj for doing that4 ,that would make #acej total4 ,yes1 replied ,bob1 setting down the amount in his own memorandum book4 ,how much sand will you need1 ,mr4 ,brady8 ,the contractor took a memorandum book from his pocket and consulted it for a moment4 ,about ten to fifteen thousand yards of sand and gravel together on my first contract1 but ,i expect to have a contract for building roads pretty soon that will require more than double that4 ,at the mention of these figures1 ,bob exchanged glances with his uncle1 who had with difficulty kept to his agreement to let ,bob make the bargain1 and he fairly gasped when he began to realize the earning capacity of the old sand pit4 ,i think you're charging me too much money1 son1 for the sand and gravel4 ,you ought to knock off five or ten cents per yard and give me exclusive right to the pit4 ,no1 said ,bob1 we're not willing to do that1 but we will make this bargain with you1 ,mr4 ,brady3 if you will do our work for us right away1 we'll agree not to charge you more than fifty cents a cubic yard for as much sand and gravel as you want4 ,seeing there was no other way out of the matter1 the contractor finally consented to this arrangement4 ,i'm not much on verbal contracts1 he said1 for ,i find that people who do not set down in black and white what they agree to do1 often forget and then there's trouble1 so if you don't mind1 ,mr4 ,williams1 we'll step into the house and put our agreement in writing4 ,how shall we arrange to keep account of the amount of materials ,i get8 asked ,mr4 ,brady1 as they started for the house4 ,how do you usually do8 asked ,bob4 ,i've got some tickets with my name on them1 replied the contractor1 and every time a man takes away a load he gives one of those tickets to the man in charge of the pit4 ,by the way1 ,i suppose there'll be some one in charge who can take care of these tickets8 ,yes1 said ,bob quickly1 before his uncle had a chance to speak4 ,we're going to start a man making fence posts at the pit next week and you can give the tickets to him4 ,a few minutes after they had sat down at the table in the sitting room ,mr4 ,brady handed the agreement to' ,bob's uncle to read4 ,he read it over and then handed it to ,bob1 who read it over twice1 very careful1 and then laid it down on the table4 ,it reads all right1 ,mr4 ,brady1 and seems to be just what we agreed to do1 said ,bob1 but before we sign it ,i'd like to show it to ,mr4 ,white1 president of the ,first ,national ,bank4 ,all right1 son1 just as you like1 said the contractor1 a look of disappointment on his face as he put his fountain pen in his pocket4 ,i'll be here on ,monday with my men and outfit1 for ,i'm sure ,mr4 ,white will find the agreement is all right4 ,i think it is myself1 said ,bob1 but ,i'd like to have him read it over anyway before it's signed4 ,as they walked out to the barnyard1 where his car was standing1 the contractor turned to ,joe ,williams and asked3 ,how do you manage to get up and down that steep hill with your automobile1 ,mr4 ,williams8 ,oh1 ,i don't have an automobile1 ,williams replied4 ,what6 no car8 exclaimed ,mr4 ,brady4 ,i don't see how your women folks get along without one4 ,cars are so low and horses so high nowadays1 it don't pay to take a horse out of a busy team to drive to town4 ,i should think you couldn't do without one4 ,well1 good day1 he added1 as he climbed into his car and threw on the self-starter4 ,see you next week4 ,,vii ,,the ,,new ,,aunt ,the following week was a very busy and eventful one for ,bob4 ,plowing time was rapidly approaching1 and his uncle was anxious to have all the manure placed on the fields ready to start work early2 besides1 they had taken a day off at ,bob's urging to prune the young orchard4 ,on ,thursday he received a large package of ,farm ,bulletins from the ,department of ,agriculture at ,washington1 in reply to a postcard he had sent4 ,he had only time for a hasty glance through them1 before having to lay them away for careful reading later4 ,on ,friday his uncle turned over the team to him1 saying he was going to town for the day4 ,bob noticed that he had dressed up in his best clothes1 so was not surprised when he came in from work late that afternoon to find they had company at the house4 ,come here1 ,bob1 called his uncle cheerily1 as he entered4 ,i want you to meet your new ,aunt ,bettie4 ,she isn't exactly your aunt yet1 but she will be soon4 ,bob hastened forward to take the out stretched hand of the woman who rose to greet him4 ,bob had a quick eye for beauty2 he noted the fair1 soft complexion which the rich dark hair set off so beautifully1 but not this alone made the strong and conscious appeal to him--it was the frank manner with which she took his hand and the friendly light in her lovely brown eyes that won ,bob completely4 ,so this is ',bob1' of whom you have been telling me1 said ,miss ,atwood4 ,i'm certainly glad to make your acquaintance1 ,bob4 ,your ,uncle ,joe has been telling me many things about you1 and ,i know we're going to be fast friends and have lots of fun together on the farm this summer4 ,i hope so1 said ,bob1 for ,i like farming better than anything ,i know2 there are so many interesting things to see and do4 ,i'm glad to hear you say that1 ,bob1 she replied4 ,in these days1 when most boys of your age want to be in the town and cities1 it's refreshing to find one who has vision enough to appreciate the golden opportunities of the country4 ,your ,uncle ,joe doesn't know it1 but ,i've been doing considerable reading myself about farm life and farm work since we became engaged1 and the more ,i read the more enthusiastic ,i become1 and ,i'm sure we're going to have lots of pleasant days and evenings1 too1 together4 ,have you been reading farm bulletins1 also1 ,aunt ,bettie8 ,bob asked hesitating1 as he used her new title for the first time4 ,that's right1 ,i want you to call me ',aunt ,bettie'1 she replied quickly1 seeing his embarrassment4 ,yes1 ,i've gotten a great many bulletins from the ,department of ,agriculture at ,washington and have read them over and over very carefully4 ,the opportunities on a farm1 if one just keeps his eyes open1 are certainly wonderful4 ,i'd like to read your bulletins1 too1 said ,bob1 his eyes sparkling4 ,i thought you were going to give up teaching school1 ,bettie1 interrupted her intended husband1 and here you and ,bob are getting ready to start one4 ,first thing you know1 you'll be getting another scholar1 one six feet tall1 and he laughed down at her4 ,well1 frankly1 ,joe1 she replied1 you might spend your evenings less profitably than reading bulletins and other interesting papers on making farms pay4 ,guess ,i'll have to get in line1 he replied laughing4 ,bob's been preaching to me ever since he came here about modernizing the old farm and digging up our ',hidden ,treasure1' as he calls it4 ,you'll have to excuse me now1 ,aunt ,bettie1 said ,bob1 for it's milking time and ,i always plan to milk our cows regularly4 ,his heart was light and he whistled a merry tune as he started for the barn1 the milk pails on his arm4 ,he now felt sure that this summer was going to be the happiest one he had ever spent4 ,after the supper dishes had been cleared away1 they sat together and talked of the things to be done to improve the farm and which would be the best crops to plant4 ,as the discussion continued1 ,joe ,williams began to realize that both ,bettie and ,bob knew many things about farming of which he was ignorant--things which1 he reluctantly admitted to himself1 were of the utmost importance4 ,on ,saturday they quit work at noon to go to town4 ,bob asked his uncle if he were going to take ,mr4 ,brady's contract and show it to ,mr4 ,white1 the banker4 ,the bank closes at noon on ,saturdays1 ,bob1 replied his uncle1 and we're to be pretty busy1 ,bettie and ,i1 buying our things1 for we're getting new furniture for the house1 and ,i want to bring it back with me4 ,perhaps ,mr4 ,white doesn't go out of town on ,saturday and ,i could find him at his home1 said ,bob4 ,i think we ought to have the matter settled before ,mr4 ,brady gets here on ,monday morning with his tools4 ,it might make some difference if he started work before the agreement is signed4 ,all right1 ,bob1 you take the contract and try to find him4 ,i'll be too busy loading the furniture to bother with it4 ,so as soon as he arrived in town1 ,bob left the wagon in front of the furniture store where his uncle1 who had driven in with ,miss ,atwood in the buggy1 was waiting4 ,he hurried over to the ,first ,national ,bank4 ,the bank seemed to be closed1 but the entrance door was unlocked1 and after some time he found the banker in the directors' room going over some papers4 ,back already for your money1 ,bob8 laughed the banker1 as he opened the door to admit him4 ,no1 ,mr4 ,white1 ,i haven't yet found a better investment for the money4 ,i came to see you about our sand pit4 ,a ,mr4 ,brady1 who says he has the contract to build some bridges for the new railroad1 wants to buy our sand and we have made a bargain with him and he put it in writing4 ,we didn't sign it1 for while it seems to be all right1 ,uncle ,joe would like to have you look it over first4 ,oh1 indeed1 replied the banker1 and whose idea was it that ,i should read the contract before signing8 ,well1 hesitated ,bob1 we thought maybe it would be better to be sure it was all right since you're loaning ,uncle ,joe money for the farm4 ,that's right1 ,bob2 that's only fair4 ,follow out that principle and you'll always get along4 ,he took the paper and read it through carefully and laid it down4 ,then he reflected a moment1 picked it up and read it again4 ,then he whistled softly4 ,you're right1 ,bob1 in bringing this to me1 he said1 tapping the top of the table thoughtfully with the end of his pencil4 ,that contract is very well written4 ,you see1 ,bob1 said the banker1 laying the document on the table1 this contract would be all right if you were sure you had enough sand and gravel to supply ,mr4 ,brady's wants1 but you will notice that he does not specify how much material he expected to use1 nor does he state when he will require it1 and if he took a notion to measure all the sand you have in the pit and issue a receipt for it1 he could take it and let it lie on your ground for re-sale2 he could do that under this agreement4 ,also1 if you didn't have as much material as he wanted1 he could compel you to supply him from other sources at the rate of fifty cents a yard4 ,well1 what had we better do about it1 ,mr4 ,white8 inquired ,bob4 ,mr4 ,brady's going to go to work on the ditch on ,monday morning4 ,he's setting up his caterpillar steam shovel now and getting ready4 ,wait a moment1 said the banker1 as he pressed the button4 ,i'll see if my stenographer has gone4 ,she usually leaves at noon1 but to-day ,i had some extra work that she stayed to finish--no1 here she comes-- we'll have it re-written4 ,will you kindly make two copies of this agreement1 ,miss ,brown8 asked the banker4 ,you see1 ,bob1 there should always be two copies of all agreements-- one fer yourself and one for the other party to the contract4 ,it is always best to have all agreements in duplicate4 ,you see1 ,bob1 said the banker1 as he finished dictating1 ,i've added a time limit to the contract4 ,a year from now1 when ,i hope they will begin making concrete county roads1 your sand and gravel1 if the supply holds out1 ought to be worth at least #a4jj per cubic yard4 ,i had no idea sand and gravel were so valuable said ,bob4 ,well1 ,i've been looking the matter up a bit lately1 replied the banker1 and ,i wouldn't be surprised if you could get that price for it a year from now--maybe before that even4 ,there isn't a great deal of good sand and gravel in the entire county--certainly none that is as good as yours4 ,if you've something else you'd like to do1 ,bob1 you may stop around in an hour or so and get these contracts4 ,i'll read them over after ,miss ,brown has them finished1 and put my ,o4 ,k4 on them4 ,i may not be here when you return4 ,bob hastened to the store to impart the information he had obtained to his uncle1 but found him so busy loading the farm wagon with his new purchases that ,bob had to explain the matter to him several times before he seemed to understand4 ,at four o'clock ,bob returned to the bank and received the corrected copies from the president1 who was still there4 ,how much do we owe you1 ,mr4 ,white1 for doing this for us8 asked ,bob4 ,oh1 ,i don't think ,i'll charge you anything for this1 ,bob1 although it is worth something to know how to do a thing right1 but since ,i've decided to make our bank the headquarters for farmers1 we expect to do little things like this for our friends1 so you're welcome to whatever the service is worth4 ,well1 ,i'm sure we didn't expect you to do it for nothing1 replied ,bob1 and ,i know ,uncle ,joe will be pleased that you fixed it up for him4 ,by the way1 ,bob1 said the banker1 you might tell your uncle that there's going to be a sale of some purebred and grade ,holstein cattle next week on a farm in the southern part of the county1 and that ,i'd like to have him bid them in4 ,there are ten young cows and a fine bull--just the kind he should have to start a herd on his farm4 ,at the mention of the purebreds1 ,bob's eyes sparkled1 but after reflecting a moment he replied3 ,uncle ,joe'll not have money enough to buy any now1 ,mr4 ,white1 and besides1 he doesn't think there's much advantage in purebred over ordinary cattle4 ,you tell your ,uncle ,joe that the ,first ,national ,bank is back of him and we'll loan him the necessary money to buy these cattle1 and that ,i think he should replace his present herd of old common cattle with young purebred stock--that it will pay him to do so4 ,he can get back a part of their cost by selling off his present herd4 ,i've about come to the conclusion1 ,bob1 that there's more money in that sand pit of your ,uncle ,joe's than either you or he have any idea4 ,tell him the sale will be next ,tuesday1 and if he'll come in early in the morning1 ,i'll drive him down in my automobile4 ,we can get back easy by noon1 so he'll only lose half a day4 ,i know all about these cattle--they're a first-class healthy herd4 ,the man that owned them died1 and his widow is selling off all their stock4 ,all right1 ,mr4 ,white1 ,i'll tell him1 said ,bob4 ,thank you for your advice about the contract4 ,i want to see that farm of your uncle's1 ,bob1 improved and well stocked this year--first on account of the benefit he'll get from it and second on account of the influence it will have on the neighboring farms4 ,we've lots of good farms around here1 ,bob1 and ,i want a model one for the others to pattern after4 ,all our farms need to make them pay well is wide-awake farmers1 with a constructive bank back of them to give them the necessary financial help to get started4 ,i've decided that the ,first ,national is going to be that bank1 and stand back of all farmers in this county who'll make real improvements4 ,your uncle's farm ,i've picked out to start with1 on account of his having that gravel pit1 which will make it possible to build his new buildings and pay off the mortgage quickly4 ,of course1 the others must necessarily go slower in their improvements1 but when we finish with your uncle this fall1 ,bob1 we'll have the others all so jealous they'll just naturally get into line4 ,,viii ,,the ,,sale ,bob's heart beat quickly on ,monday morning1 as he looked out from the barnyard in the direction of the old mill and saw the smoke coming from the steam shovel that ,mr4 ,brady had placed at the lower end of the ditch1 ready to start operations4 ,brady evidently intended to do the work in the shortest possible time1 for while ,bob was still looking1 the operator started the machine1 and ,bob saw the shovel sink deep into the soft earth and a moment later swing over to the north side1 and the first yard of dirt had been removed4 ,he even forgave the contractor for his attempt to drive a sharp bargain in his written contract1 though he remembered ,brady's embarrassment when his uncle pointed out the defects in his written agreement and hastily signed the corrected one made by ,john ,white4 ,bob could scarcely realize that it was little more than a week since the eventful ,saturday afternoon he had spent fishing in the old pond4 ,he was whistling merrily as he brought out the horses to start the spring plowing4 ,i don't like to spoil that merry tune of yours so early ,monday morning1 ,bob1 but ,i've been in a quandary for several days to know how to tell you that it isn't going to be possible for you to go to the wedding1 said his uncle4 ,you see1 some one will have to stay on the place while we're away1 and your grandmother and grandfather ought to go1 and1 of course1 ,i'll have to be there myself1 he laughed4 ,that's all right1 replied ,bob4 ,of course1 ,i'd like to go to the wedding1 but ,i'll have lots of time to get acquainted with ,aunt ,bettie afterwards1 and1 besides1 he added1 glancing at the sun coming over the hill1 we ought to get our spring plowing started as soon as possible4 ,i was just wondering1 ,uncle ,joe1 he added1 who we could get to look after the sand pit and start making fence posts4 ,i was reading in one of the ',concrete on the ,farm' bulletins how they're made4 ,it isn't going to be much of a job to receive the tickets for sand and gravel that ,mr4 ,brady'll take away1 and the man in charge can spend practically all of his time making fence posts4 ,he ought to make at least #bj posts each day--that would mean that in a month we would have #ebj posts--enough for #ebj rods of fence--or in a year #fbdj rods4 ,but you couldn't make fence posts in cold weather1 ,bob1 corrected his uncle4 ,why1 yes1 you can1 ,uncle ,joe1 if you have an enclosed shed with some heat in it4 ,the bulletin tells all about how to do concrete work in cold weather4 ,well1 ,i'll look around to-day1 ,bob1 and see who ,i can find4 ,i have to go to town at noon to attend to some business4 ,you have to get a license1 you know1 so ,i'll have to attend to that before ,i forget it4 ,shall ,i plow around for the first time or two for you1 ,bob8 asked his uncle1 as they hitched the team to the plow4 ,no1 said ,bob4 ,i'd like to try it myself1 and he guided the horses along the fence for the first furrow4 ,the field they had selected was the one lying just back of the barn1 and ,bob had completed three sides and was coming along the fourth1 which adjoined the fence between the woodshed and the house4 ,his uncle1 who was washing the buggy1 looked up and noticed that he was leaving considerable space between this fence and his furrow4 ,why are you leaving such a large space in the corner1 ,bob8 he called1 as the team came abreast of where he was working4 ,i was leaving a space for a new hen house1 ,uncle ,joe1 he replied4 ,what new hen house8 asked his uncle4 ,oh1 didn't ,aunt ,bettie tell you when she was here that we talked about the location for a new hen house1 and she thought it ought to be put out here in this field between the house and the barn1 so that it would face to the south1 answered ,bob4 ,why1 no1 ,i guess she must have forgotten to mention it to me1 said his uncle1 but ,i don't think we'll be able to afford any new buildings on the farm this year1 ,bob4 ,i'm not so sure about that1 replied ,bob4 ,you know1 ,mr4 ,white said the ,first ,national ,bank was going to be run as a constructive bank and that he would be willing to loan money on any permanent improvements1 and that he wanted to make a model farm of yours this year4 ,besides1 you remember what ,i told you he said about the value of our sand and gravel pit4 ,yes1 ,bob1 but look at the work we have contracted for already2 don't forget how many loads of sand and gravel it will take to pay for that4 ,that's so1 said ,bob1 but ,mr4 ,white didn't seem to be so much concerned about the amount we spent for improvements as what we spent it for4 ,he seems to be anxious to have us fix the old farm up and believes it will pay4 ,that's all right for you and ,john ,white1 added his uncle1 to talk of making this a model farm in a year1 but it's my name that's going to be on the notes1 and some fine morning when we get all these improvements made1 he may drive out here and take the model farm away from me for the notes4 ,i don't think ,john ,white would do such a thing1 said ,bob stoutly4 ,besides1 why should he call his bank a ',constructive ,bank1' if he used it to destroy other people's hopes8 ,i should think he would call it a ',destructive ,bank1' instead4 ,well1 maybe so1 said his uncle4 ,anyhow1 it won't hurt any one to let that little corner go undeveloped for the present1 till ,i talk it over with your ,aunt ,bettie4 ,it may please her if we carry out her suggestion4 ,why're you so quiet1 ,bob8 asked his grandmother at dinner that day4 ,one would think it was you that was getting married instead of your ,uncle ,joe1 sitting there as solemn as an owl and not saying anything4 ,has the cat run away with your tongue so soon8 ,why1 no1 said ,bob4 ,i was just thinking4 ,you weren't feeling badly because you weren't going to the wedding1 were you8 asked his uncle1 looking up4 ,no1 ,uncle ,joe1 ,i wasn't4 ,i was just wondering if they might have some bees at the sale to-morrow4 ,bees6 exclaimed his grandmother4 ,what in the world do you want with bees8 ,isn't it bad enough around the farm already with yellow-jackets and bumble-bees1 without bringing any more here8 ,i should think you would get stung enough by the wild bees without wanting to bring a lot of honey bees to the farm4 ,yes1 grandmother1 but you forget that the wild bees don't make any honey1 or earn anything for us1 and honey bees would be earning money all the time4 ,i've been reading in one of the farmers' bulletins that a good colony of bees would make #cj pounds of honey in a season1 which at #bj cents per pound would be worth #f4jj1 and the only thing we would have to do would be to look them over carefully and smoke them once in a while when they swarmed1 he replied4 ,say1 ,bob1 did ,john ,white put these bees in your bonnet8 asked his uncle suddenly4 ,illustration with caption3 ,,bees ,,are ,a ,,profitable ,,side ,,line ,,that ,,pay ,,in ,,increased ,,crops ,,of ,,fruit ,,as ,,well ,,as ,,honey ,,and ,,require ,,little ,,care ,no1 it was an idea ,i got out of one of the farm bulletins1 he replied4 ,well1 ,i think you had better give up reading those bulletins for a while1 and keep your mind on your plowing1 said his uncle4 ,why1 didn't ,i do lots of work this morning1 ,uncle ,joe8 asked ,bob surprised4 ,yes1 of course2 but ,i mean you can't work and think both1 said his uncle4 ,why not1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,don't you remember what ,mr4 ,dow1 the insurance man1 said about the farmers that didn't think8 ,well1 anyhow1 ,i draw the line at buying bees1 replied his uncle firmly4 ,yes1 added his grandmother4 ,i don't want any bees around here1 spoiling the fruit4 ,but1 grandmother1 you haven't waited to find out what ,i'm going to do with them1 said ,bob4 ,i don't want to put them around the house4 ,i want to put them between the clover meadow and the young orchard1 and1 besides1 they don't spoil the fruit4 ,it's the other insects that do that4 ,a honey bee couldn't do that if it wanted to4 ,bob1 asked his uncle1 showing an interest for the first time1 why do you want to put them away over there8 ,because ,i've been reading in the farm bulletins that the reason orchards have such poor crops of fruit is because they don't have enough bees to pollinate the blossoms4 ,the bulletin said that every orchard should have a number of colonies of bees4 ,of course1 the nearer the bees are to the blossoms the more honey they'll make1 because the distance is short2 besides1 if we put them at the edge of the orchard next to the meadow when the clover is in bloom1 they could work on the clover1 too1 just as easy as the orchard blossoms1 and they'd make a lot of honey1 he declared4 ,well1 ,bob1 you certainly have been reading those books1 said his grandfather1 glancing up from his paper4 ,between your own work1 ,joe1 your new wife and your chore boy1 he said1 you're going to lead a pretty busy life this summer1 if ,i don't miss my guess4 ,well1 why not1 grandfather8 demanded ,bob4 ,no reason in the world1 my boy1 and you've hit the nail square on the head by locating the hives between the orchard and the meadow4 ,a bee can probably make four to five times as much honey in a season there than if we put the hives out back of the barn or in some other place near the house4 ,i'd like to please you in this matter1 ,bob1 if ,i could1 said his uncle1 but you know how things are this year4 ,we're doing so much already that ,i don't feel as though ,i could spare a dollar to invest in bees4 ,but1 ,uncle ,joe1 ,i haven't asked you to invest anything in bees4 ,i was only wondering if there'd be some bees for sale4 ,you know ,i have #gb4ig myself on deposit at the ,first ,national1 and ,i was wondering whether you'd be willing to let me buy the bees and take enough time off to look after them for the benefit the orchard would get4 ,i've a notion that the bees could earn more for me than the money will earn at interest4 ,now1 that's what ,i call real 'git up and git'1 said his grandmother1 suddenly forgetting her prejudice against bees1 in admiration of the scheme4 ,well1 if they've any at the sale1 how many do you want me to buy1 ,bob8 asked his uncle4 ,i should think five or six good colonies would do to start with1 and they ought not to cost more than ten dollars each1 provided they're good and healthy4 ,how the dickens am ,i to know whether they're good and healthy1 ,bob8 ,you don't want me to knock at their door and say1 ',good morning bees2 how do you find yourself this morning'8 ,of course not1 laughed ,bob4 ,i forgot you don't understand bees4 ,but1 how would you get them here8 asked his uncle1 suddenly realizing that hauling hives of bees around the country might not be a pleasant job1 and also that the farm to which he was going was some eighteen miles away4 ,well1 of course1 said ,bob1 it would cost something to haul them1 but maybe they've an automobile truck and you could pay a little more and have them delivered4 ,all right1 ,bob1 ,i'll look into the matter and let you know when ,i return1 said his uncle4 ,after supper1 when the chores had been done1 ,bob went over to look at the ditch4 ,he was astonished to find how much work had been accomplished4 ,a clean-cut trench with uniform banks on either side and the new bank leveled on top #abe feet long had been dug4 ,he didn't know how much a caterpillar steam shovel was worth1 but at the rate the contractor figured for the ditch1 he would have #faj4jj left over1 after paying the operator and engineer each #e4jj per day1 for six days' work1 which ,bob thought ought to be enough to cover their wages1 and adding #e4jj per day for fuel1 making #ij4jj in all4 ,machinery was certainly the thing to handle work quickly and cheaply1 for after deducting the cost of bringing the shovel to the job and taking it away again1 the contractor would make a handsome profit1 and he was more impressed than ever with the conversation he had overheard between ,mr4 ,white and ,mr4 ,dow regarding power on the farm4 ,bob was at supper with his grandparents when his ,uncle ,joe returned from the sale the next evening1 but instead of taking a half day1 as he had thought1 he had used up an entire day4 ,i thought you were going to get back at noon1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob4 ,did they have any bees to sell8 ,how many colonies did you ask me to buy1 ,bob8 asked his uncle laughing4 ,five or six1 said ,bob4 ,well1 ,i got them for you all right1 but there's not five or six4 ,they had twenty-two and they wouldn't sell one without selling all4 ,so ,i bought them all for #ej4jj1 which you see is less than you said you were willing to pay for six and they're going to deliver them1 too1 in modern sectional hives4 ,they are three-banded ,italian1 whatever that means1 with one or two exceptions they say the colonies are in a good healthy condition4 ,that's fine1 said ,bob1 so excited he was scarcely able to eat his supper4 ,what else did you buy8 ,well1 ,bob1 if ,i go to the poorhouse1 there'll be no one to blame for it but you and ,john ,white4 ,why1 how's that8 asked ,bob's grandfather1 looking up quickly4 ,well1 it was like this3 when he got me down there he not only persuaded me to buy the ten young ,holstein cows and a bull1 but he induced me to buy five ,berkshire brood sows and two four-year-old ,belgian mares4 ,he wanted me to take a flock of ,southdown ,ewes and a ram1 but ,i didn't buy them--there's no money in keeping a few sheep4 ,were they nice-looking sheep1 ,joe8 asked his father1 who was very fond of sheep4 ,the finest ,i ever saw1 father1 but ,i didn't want to go so far in debt4 ,then who bid them in1 ,joe8 asked his father4 ,bob4 ,me6 asked ,bob1 looking up suddenly4 ,yes1 ,john ,white bought them for you and said he would be willing to advance the money to pay for them1 and you could pay him back later4 ,he said they were too good a bargain to lose4 ,but ,i've no farm for them to run on1 said ,bob1 and it wouldn't be fair for me to pasture them on your land1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,i was thinking of that1 said his uncle4 ,well1 the only fair way1 ,uncle ,joe1 would be for you to take the sheep yourself1 for it wouldn't be fair for me to keep them on your farm4 ,besides1 ,i'll be busy enough with the bees4 ,and the chickens1 added his uncle4 ,why1 did you buy some chickens1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,yes1 that confounded ,john ,white made me buy nearly everything on the place4 ,i bought fifty single-comb white ,leghorn pullets and three cockerels4 ,also ten white ,plymouth ,rock pullets and one cockerel1 also an incubator and brooder4 ,the chickens1 added his uncle1 are for your ,aunt ,bettie4 ,since you're going to build a new hen house ,i thought we'd better get some good chickens4 ,bob was so excited now that he left the table and rushed up to his room to get out the farm bulletins that showed the best types of hen houses4 ,when he returned his uncle and his grandfather were busily talking4 ,joe1 remarked his father1 ,i'm afraid you're getting in pretty deep with ,john ,white putting these notions into your head about modern farming4 ,don't forget you owe me #bjjj4jj on the farm1 which1 with all the other things you've bought1 you must be terribly in debt4 ,i was afraid you'd feel that way about it1 father1 and ,i told ,white so1 he replied4 ,he probably don't care1 as long as he was getting you to borrow his money and sign his notes1 said his father4 ,that's where you do him an injustice1 father1 replied his son4 ,he said the first thing ,i should do would be to pay you off1 and as it don't make any difference whether ,i pay interest to you or the bank1 he loaned me enough money to pay you off1 so the next time we go to town we'll fix the matter up4 ,i told ,john ,white if ,i went broke he'd be the one to suffer4 ,what did he say8 asked his father4 ,he only laughed and said1 ',i'll take a chance on you1 ,joe1 since ,i've met the woman you're going to marry and that boy you've got on the farm4 ,if the pair of them don't make you git up and git1 then ,i'll miss my guess4' ,h'm1 sniffed his mother1 it's little that ,betsy ,atwood knows about farming1 with her high-fangled ,new ,england notions and ,farm ,bulletin ,education4 ,h'm6 ,now1 mother1 said her son1 people aren't living on farms any more the way they used to4 ,farms must be made attractive and work must be made easy1 if people are to live on them4 ,that's why you're leaving yourself4 ,nobody ever accused me before1 ,joe ,williams1 of not doing my share of work4 ,your father and ,i toiled all our lives and this is how much you appreciate it4 ,but ,i tell you1 mother1 farmers aren't satisfied to get along in the same way they used to4 ,the farmer is human and wants comforts and pleasures in life just as well as anybody else1 and ,i'm beginning to believe that ,john ,white was right when he made me buy an automobile to-day4 ,what6 almost shouted his mother4 ,joe ,williams1 you've gone plumb crazy4 ,john ,white has bewitched you6 ,no1 he hasn't1 mother4 ,i knew you'd feel that way when ,i told you about it1 and that's one reason ,i want to pay you off first1 so you won't lose anything if ,i fail4 ,whatever induced you to buy an automobile1 ,joe8 asked his father1 while ,bob sat staring1 unable to believe his ears4 ,well1 it was like this3 ,on the way back from the sale he said1 ',now1 ,joe1 this ought to give you a pretty good equipment by the time you get your new buildings put up4 ,what6 ,is he suggesting new buildings8 demanded his mother4 ,as if the buildings we used aren't good enough for our children4 ,it was like this1 ,joe continued1 ignoring the interruption2 as we were driving back in the car1 he said1 ',now1 ,joe1 ,i want you to remember you're marrying a young woman who has been accustomed to going about a bit1 and will have to get away from the farm occasionally in order to be happy1 and you've one of the most enthusiastic boys on your farm ,i've ever met1 but his enthusiasm will not keep up if he's to be tied down tight4 ,what you need is an automobile1 so you can go to church1 and in the evening1 when your work is done1 you can go for a drive1 or run in and see the movies4 ,i don't mind telling you there are two reasons why ,i'm recommending this car to you4 ,first1 ,i want you to find out for yourself what miserable roads there are in this county and why they should be paved with concrete4 ,second1 ,i want you to make it so pleasant on the farm for your wife1 and later for your children1 that they'll always want to stay there--for we must keep our boys and girls on the farm if this country is to prosper4 ,the trouble has been farmers have not realized the old saying1 ,all work and no play makes ,jack a dull boy4 ,that's why the farms are deserted4 ,there's one restriction1 though1 ,i'm going to place on you1 and that is that the car is never to be run during working hours1 except such as your wife might use it to drive to market1 and the car must be sheltered in a building and kept clean4 ,i don't want to ever see you drive in to town with a car all covered with mud4 ,now1 if you're willing to do that1 ,i'll advance you enough money so you'll have a complete outfit4' ,well1 ,i suppose you signed up for it1 said his mother hopelessly4 ,yes1 laughed her son4 ,i thought ,i might as well take the automobile along with the other things1 mother4 ,h'm6 sniffed his mother4 ,joe ,williams1 ,i'll give you six months until the sheriff sells you out4 ,i never thought ,i'd raise a son who would turn out to be such a fool1 and she burst into tears4 ,now1 now1 mother1 you're all wrong in this matter1 said her son1 going over and taking her in his arms4 ,i'm not doing this simply because ,i love ,betsy ,atwood but because it's good business1 and1 besides1 ,i want to make her life pleasant4 ,it's the modern idea1 mother2 it's the right way to do1 and ,i think ,john ,white is right4 ,the reason farmers' boys and girls refuse to stay on the old farm is on account of the few amusements they get4 ,don't you worry about the sheriff selling me out1 for if ,i live ,i can easily make a go of it1 and if ,i should die suddenly1 ,i've a #aj1jjj4jj life insurance policy in the ,farmers' ,mutual that will pay off the mortgage and leave something for ,bettie besides4 ,of course1 it cost something to take out a policy of #aj1jjj4jj2 everything of value costs1 but an insurance policy that pays off the mortgage1 if ,i happen to die1 relieves me of all worry4 ,it would have been a risk without insurance1 but ,i feel safe now4 ,,ix ,,power ,,and ,,banking ,everything was hustle and bustle on the farm on ,monday morning1 ,march twenty-seventh1 for this was to be ,joe ,williams' wedding day4 ,bob was up at daylight1 milked his cows and finished his chores before breakfast4 ,at nine o'clock his ,uncle ,joe and grandparents left for town1 where they would take the ten o'clock train to ,greensburg1 where the wedding was to be solemnized at noon4 ,as previously arranged1 ,bob stayed on the farm to look after things and finish plowing the ten-acre field adjoining the barn1 which had been started two days before4 ,it was scarcely nine-thirty when he turned and started back along the north side of the field4 ,he glanced in the direction of the barn and beheld an unusual sight4 ,a small automobile had been driven into the barnyard and close behind it came the most unusual looking piece of machinery he had ever seen4 ,he stopped his team and stood leaning on the plow1 wondering what it might be4 ,the driver of the automobile1 whom he recognized as ,john ,white1 president of the ,first ,national ,bank1 jumped from the car and opened the gate of the field in which ,bob was plowing and a moment later the machine entered4 ,it crossed the ground he had already plowed on the west side of the field and entered the furrow2 then swung around with its side toward him4 ,he now recognized the apparatus--it was a tractor gang plow1 and as it went along1 he saw it was throwing up three furrows at a time4 ,as he watched it go he could not help noticing how much faster it moved than his team of horses was capable of doing4 ,he was so lost in admiration of the speed and ease with which the plow did its work that he did not notice the banker coming toward him until he stood beside him4 ,well1 what do you think of that1 ,bob1 for a plow8 asked the banker laughing4 ,some plow1 ,mr4 ,white1 said ,bob1 taking off his hat and running his fingers through his sandy hair1 while he still kept his gaze riveted on the tractor which now turned the southeast corner and started up on the east side of the field4 ,better turn your team out of the furrow1 ,bob1 advised the banker1 and let the tractor get ahead of you4 ,i want you to follow it around the field1 so you can see how much faster it travels than your team4 ,bob had scarcely turned his team out before the tractor came up opposite them1 and with a wave of the hand and a cheery good morning1 the operator of the machine went by the admiring boy and the smiling banker4 ,now get your team in behind him1 ,bob1 and see if you can catch him1 said the banker4 ,bob had not gone more than a few rods before it became evident to him that his team would never overtake the fast-moving tractor4 ,in1 fact1 before he had gone half the distance1 the tractor was up behind him again on the second round1 so he turned his team out again to let it go by4 ,this time1 however1 the operator brought the machine to a stop and said3 ,come over and have a look at her1 young man4 ,this is ,mr4 ,patterson1 of the ,farmers' ,harvester ,company1 ,bob1 with their latest model tractor plow4 ,show him how to operate it1 ,patterson1 said ,mr4 ,white1 and then let him take it around the field himself4 ,oh1 but ,i couldn't run a piece of machinery like that1 protested ,bob4 ,sure you can4 ,that's why we brought it out here1 said the banker4 ,oh1 no1 ,i'm sure it would be too complicated for me1 protested ,bob4 ,that's where you are mistaken1 said the agent1 jumping down from the operator's seat4 ,come here and ,i'll explain the mechanism to you in a few minutes4 ,after he had finished1 he turned to ,bob and said3 ,this thing is so simple1 it'll run itself1 except at the corners1 where you'll have to operate it to turn4 ,how do you mean1 run itself8 asked the unbelieving boy4 ,well1 ,i'll show you1 said the agent1 as he adjusted one or two of the levers1 and1 much to ,bob's astonishment1 the tractor set off down the field by itself4 ,why1 how do you do that8 he asked1 staring open-mouthed after the disappearing tractor4 ,come down to the corner and ,i'll show you1 said the agent4 ,but ,i can't leave the team1 said ,bob4 ,oh1 ,i'll take care of the team1 said the banker laughing4 ,you go down and operate the plow4 ,handing the lines over to the banker1 ,bob hurried after the agent1 who was racing down the field so as to catch up to the tractor before it reached the corner4 ,then he stopped the machine until ,bob came up4 ,now1 this is how it's done1 ,bob4 ,you see this self-steering device down here in the furrow4 ,well1 ,i set this lever and clamp it over fast and this self-steering device rubs along the edge of the furrow and keeps the plow following the furrow4 ,in big fields in the ,west1 where there's plenty of room and the ground is comparatively level1 we always plow around a circle4 ,there's where we use our big fellers1 he said smiling4 ,fourteen plows in a gang and one man can operate all of them at once4 ,you don't mean it1 said ,bob4 ,three or four plows going at once1 and each one plowing fourteen furrows4 ,why1 you would plow a field like this in less than a day4 ,less than a day1 said the agent4 ,how long will it take you to finish this field with your team1 ,bob8 ,illustration with caption3 ,,the ,,tractor ,,will ,,do ,,the ,,work ,,of ,,five ,,men ,,and ,,five ,,teams ,,and ,,only ,,eats ,,when ,,it',s ,,working ,well1 ,i expect to get through by noon on ,saturday1 he replied4 ,well1 what do you say if we finish it up by six o'clock tonight8 ,but you couldn't do that1 ,mr4 ,patterson6 ,we can't6 ,well1 you just wait till ,i show you4 ,i want you to get into the seat and run it yourself1 ,bob2 then you can see how it goes4 ,the boy climbed awkwardly into the machine and adjusted the levers according to instructions4 ,i'm sure ,i won't be able to handle it1 ,mr4 ,patterson1 he said1 as he opened the throttle and the engine started4 ,won't be able to handle it8 ,all you need to do is to sit on the seat and let it go4 ,now shove this lever and throw in the clutch1 suggested the agent1 and off the plow started4 ,it does run easy1 said ,bob1 as the tractor moved rapidly ahead1 the agent walking alongside1 talking to ,bob as they went4 ,easy6 remarked the agent4 ,why1 you can run this machine all day1 ,bob1 and it won't make you as tired in a whole day as doing your chores4 ,now1 when you get to the corner put your throttle down and ,i'll show you how to make the turn4 ,bob was a bit awkward1 but finally made the adjustment and got the plow to a standstill at the corner4 ,you see1 ,bob1 said ,mr4 ,patterson1 when you use a gang plow you don't cut the corners square as you do with a team of horses4 ,you round them off a bit1 then you don't need to take the trouble to turn4 ,now1 while you plow around1 ,i'll take your team and plow off the corners4 ,you aren't going to let me go around myself1 ,mr4 ,patterson8 asked ,bob4 ,certainly1 you can run it yourself just as well as anybody1 replied the agent4 ,after ,i finish with the team1 ,mr4 ,white and ,i have some business to do4 ,by the way1 can we use your telephone1 ,bob8 ,sorry1 ,mr4 ,patterson1 we haven't a telephone yet1 stammered ,bob4 ,i think ,uncle ,joe'll put one in though when he gets back from his wedding4 ,you see1 he's getting married to-day4 ,i know he is1 said the agent grinning4 ,that's why we brought the tractor out to-day4 ,we wanted to have a good chance when your uncle wasn't home4 ,when he gets back with his bride1 we're going to show him what power can do to a farm4 ,well1 ,i'll take the car1 said ,mr4 ,white1 and drive over to the ,wallace farm and use their 'phone4 ,you see1 ,bob1 we're going to have a little party on your farm4 ,we're going to sort of take possession of the place and have invited some of your neighbors to see the tractor work4 ,all right1 said ,bob4 ,i'll try it out myself1 but if ,i smash this thing1 it won't be my fault4 ,don't worry about smashing it1 ,bob4 ,just give her kerosene and keep her going1 said the agent4 ,after the first round or two1 ,bob became confident of his ability to handle the tractor1 and began to realize how quickly and easily plowing could be done by power4 ,he noticed ,mr4 ,white drive back to the barnyard1 and as soon as ,mr4 ,patterson had finished with the team1 he unhitched them and took them over and put them into the barn1 then they sat down in the auto and began to talk1 leaving ,bob to manage the tractor alone4 ,when dinner time came he brought the machine to a standstill on the west side of the field nearest to the barn1 and1 shutting down the motor1 came quickly over the freshly plowed ground to the barnyard4 ,that's certainly a fine way to plow1 ,mr4 ,white1 said ,bob1 his eyes sparkling as he contemplated the amount of work done in a quarter of a day4 ,sure is1 ,bob1 said the banker4 ,the greatest thing ,i've ever seen4 ,power certainly does beat horse flesh1 and you notice1 ,bob1 we only feed the engine when it is working4 ,i can't give you very much of a dinner1 said ,bob1 apologetically1 for everybody's away at ,uncle ,joe's wedding1 but if you'll be satisfied with cold victuals1 ,i guess ,i can fit you out4 ,bread and butter and a glass of milk is good enough for me1 ,bob1 laughed the banker1 as they started for the house4 ,bob's grandmother had left him well supplied with food--several apple pies1 a boiled ham and a weekly baking of bread had been finished the day before4 ,she had also left the fire in the kitchen stove and the tea-kettle on1 so it didn't take ,bob very long to make a pot of coffee4 ,he brought some butter and milk from the milk cellar and they were soon enjoying the simple food4 ,bob1 said the banker1 as he helped himself to a large heel off the loaf and spread it thick with butter and apple butter1 we thought we'd give your ,uncle ,joe a wedding present by doing his spring plowing for him4 ,we want to surprise him when he comes back1 so ,i arranged with ,mr4 ,patterson to give a demonstration of his tractor on your farm4 ,we sent out some invitations last week to a number of farmers around here1 asking them to come here this afternoon1 but told them to keep it quiet so your uncle wouldn't find out anything about it4 ,we're going to spend the rest of the afternoon giving each fellow a chance to run the tractor1 but to-morrow1 just to show you what the tractor can do1 ,mr4 ,patterson is going to take it and disk and harrow your ten-acre field back of the cider mill1 and then the next day we want you to plow your west bottom field1 where your ,uncle ,joe said he was going to plant his spring wheat this year4 ,when you take charge of the tractor1 ,bob1 said the agent1 we're going to let you start with the machine in the barnyard1 take it to the field1 do the plowing and bring it back again yourself1 and unless you have some bad luck1 ,i don't think ,i'll have to lay a hand on it4 ,of course1 ,i'll be here in case you need me1 but ,i've a notion the machine will do the trick1 without my touching it4 ,why1 said ,bob a moment later1 realizing for the first time what it would mean to have that much plowing done1 our three fields will all be finished before ,uncle ,joe gets back4 ,not three1 ,bob1 corrected the banker1 four1 for we're going to plow your north field1 too4 ,isn't that field too hilly for the tractor8 asked ,bob4 ,no1 replied the agent4 ,i've been looking at it and feel sure we can manage it1 although it's a little steeper than we usually recommend for tractors1 but we want to demonstrate that our machine will take care of all the fields you have on the farm1 with the exception1 of course1 of ',round ,top1' which ought to be planted in fruit or something instead of trying to raise a grain crop4 ,when does your ,uncle ,joe expect to get back1 ,bob8 asked the banker a moment later1 helping himself to a second piece of pie4 ,thursday afternoon1 ,i think1 replied ,bob4 ,they're planning to be back for ,sunday4 ,come to think of it1 that's right1 said the banker4 ,i overheard him tell ,henry ,smith1 who sold him his automobile1 to have the car up at the station to meet the three o'clock train on ,thursday4 ,he's evidently going to bring his bride out in style4 ,can ,uncle ,joe drive the car already8 asked ,bob4 ,no1 ,i don't think he's going to try to drive out1 not on the first trip with his bride1 replied the banker1 but ,i think you can look for them about three-thirty4 ,i'd like to be hanging on behind1 said ,bob1 about the time they come around the bend in the road by the ,wallace ,farm1 and he sees his spring plowing all done4 ,that's a joke1 laughed the banker1 in which we'd all like to share1 ,bob1 but it won't do him any harm to ride the rest of the distance home wondering how you managed to get it all done4 ,when they came out from their dinner they found two farmers had already arrived and others kept dropping in by ones and twos1 so that before the afternoon was over there were almost two dozen rigs and automobiles standing around in the barnyard4 ,much to his delight1 ,bob was allowed to drive the tractor1 while the agent stood among the men and explained its workings4 ,after a round or two1 ,bob gave up the seat to a neighboring farmer1 who in turn gave way to another1 so one by one they tried the tractor4 ,wish he had picked out our farm to demonstrate his plow on1 remarked ,alex ,wallace1 as he watched the space in the center of the field rapidly getting smaller4 ,by the time he's through demonstrating he'll have your field plowed4 ,maybe you could get him to do it for you1 ,alex1 said ,bob4 ,why don't you ask him8 ,i've already done that1 replied ,alex1 but he wants to sell us one4 ,well1 are you going to buy one8 asked ,bob1 as they watched the tractor work4 ,i don't know what father'll do1 replied ,alex4 ,suppose we'll have to think it over4 ,when the afternoon sun got low1 the banker called the men together in the barnyard and said3 ,there's something ,i want to say to you men4 ,i know that some of you are pretty hard pressed for money just now1 and don't feel much like investing in new equipment1 but ,i've recently made a careful survey of the farming conditions in our county and have taken a trip west to look over what they're doing out in ,illinois1 ,iowa1 ,minnesota and the ,dakotas4 ,in fact1 ,i was gone for four weeks last summer1 looking over the situation generally1 and ,i've come to the conclusion that we've just as good farms right here in ,pennsylvania as they have in any of the western states--only they've gotten ahead of us out there by adopting many modern methods4 ,there isn't a thing they do out there1 though1 that we can't do right here4 ,another thing ,i discovered1 and that was that the banks in the ,west are very much more liberal to the farmers than the banks have been in the ,east4 ,i don't mind telling you1 he said smiling1 that ,i picked up a number of pointers myself on how to run a bank and when ,i got back ,i talked the matter over with our board of directors4 ,from now on the ,first ,national is going to be run on different principles than we have ever run it before4 ,we're going to do ',constructive ,banking1' which means in plain ,english that we're going to help you farmers with liberal loans wherever we find a man who's progressive and working intelligently4 ,we're fitting up a special room in the bank that we're going to call our ',bureau of ,farm ,information'2 we're going to put a capable man in charge of it to answer questions2 we're sending down to the ,bureau of ,agriculture at ,washington for a lot of farm bulletins on every subject of interest to you men1 also to manufacturers of farm machinery and other appliances that can be used on the farm4 ,the manufacturers of ,portland ,cement are fitting us up with a complete line of literature on farm buildings and how to build them4 ,in fact1 there won't be any information connected with a farm1 its equipment or the construction of farm buildings that we won't be able to give you4 ,there's some of you men here who don't do your banking with us--you're just as welcome to the information as the others4 ,we want you to make this your room when you come to town--it will be open every day from eight o'clock in the morning until six o'clock in the evening4 ,there'll be tables there where you can do any writing you want1 and a billboard to stick up notices of anything you've got for sale4 ,i hope you'll make good use of the ,bureau4 ,tell your wives we're going to have a special lot of literature for them on canning and evaporation of fruits and vegetables1 raising poultry and dairy work and bees4 ,tell them to come in and use the room as much as they like4 ,we've provided for their comforts4 ,well1 it sounds pretty fine1 ,mr4 ,white1 said ,billy ,waterson1 especially the loans4 ,i'll be in to see you myself on ,saturday4 ,yes1 come in1 ,billy1 and tell me about your needs1 invited the banker4 ,we'll no doubt be able to help you4 ,the last of the farmers had scarcely gone when ,bob's grandparents came driving up the lane4 ,has any one died1 ,bob8 asked his grandfather1 as soon as he got near enough to be heard4 ,why8 asked ,bob smiling4 ,well1 ,i saw many rigs going down the road as we came by the ,wallace farm4 ,one or two of them1 ,i thought1 came out of our lane4 ,no1 said ,bob1 no one's dead1 but1 with a wave of his hand toward the newly plowed field1 the old method of plowing with horse flesh passed away this afternoon4 ,i noticed1 ,bob1 as soon as ,i came around the bend in the road that the field was plowed1 and ,i was going to ask you about it4 ,how did you get it done so quickly8 ,were some of the neighbors over here with their teams helping you8 ,no1 said ,bob1 come here a minute and ,i'll show you something1 and he took his grandfather1 who had alighted from the buggy1 over to the wagon shed in which the tractor stood4 ,where'd that come from8 asked his grandfather1 looking at it curiously4 ,has ,joe gone and bought a tractor1 too8 ,no1 not yet1 laughed ,bob1 but ,i guess he will when he gets back and sees how much work it can do4 ,they must cost a lot of money1 ,bob1 said his grandfather4 ,not as much as you might think1 replied ,bob1 using the phrase he heard ,mr4 ,patterson use in talking to the farmers that afternoon4 ,not when you take into account how much they can do4 ,i should like to have seen it work1 said his grandfather interested4 ,well1 you'll see it1 all right1 said ,bob1 because ,mr4 ,patterson's going to plow the other three fields before he leaves4 ,how long does he calculate it'll take him to finish1 ,bob8 inquired his grandfather4 ,he expects to get done by noon on ,thursday4 ,it can't be done1 said his grandfather incredulously4 ,well1 he says it can1 laughed ,bob1 and to-morrow morning you'll see4 ,x ,,running ,,water ,bob was up bright and early the next morning and had his chores all done by the time ,mr4 ,patterson came back from town1 where he had gone the night before for a supply of kerosene4 ,as soon as breakfast was over the tractor was driven out to the field back of the cider mill1 and1 with the agent in the seat1 started off on its rounds4 ,in this field corn had been raised the year before1 and it would be planted in oats this year1 so the plow was omitted and the double disk and spike-toothed harrow used4 ,bob and his grandfather stood for a half hour watching it work1 then ,bob went to the barn and got out the team and began plowing the garden1 which adjoined the field in which the tractor was working4 ,when they knocked off at noon1 the relative amount of work done by each was very apparent1 for the ten-acre field was more than half finished in the same time it had taken ,bob to finish less than an acre of garden patch1 and by six o'clock the entire field was completed4 ,the next day ,bob took charge of the tractor and succeeded in doing almost as well in plowing their west bottom field as ,mr4 ,patterson had done the day before1 although it took him until seven o'clock in the evening to finish the entire ten acres4 ,thursday morning everything on the farm was excitement4 ,bob started to clean up the corners of the west field with the plow and team1 while ,mr4 ,patterson started plowing the hilly north field1 so that everything would be finished by the time ,bob's uncle arrived4 ,it seemed to ,bob1 as he watched the tractor work1 that the hilly field was requiring more time to complete than they had figured1 for by noon the field was not much more than half done1 so he asked ,mr4 ,patterson at dinner if the plow worked slower on hilly ground4 ,of course1 ,bob1 we can't make the time there that we can on the level1 but ,i've been taking it kind of easy1 loafing a little this morning so the tractor would be working when your uncle comes home this afternoon4 ,in this1 however1 he was disappointed1 for the automobile did not arrive until after five o'clock1 an hour after the tractor had been run into the barnyard1 where the agent left it and drove to town in his auto4 ,bob was in the barnyard waiting to greet his aunt and uncle when ,henry ,smith drove up4 ,his uncle1 however1 did not wait until they had alighted to ask ,bob the question which was uppermost in his mind1 but shouted to him as soon as the car swung up the hill into the yard4 ,how in the world did you ever get the plowing all done so soon1 ,bob8 he called4 ,without replying1 ,bob waved his hand toward the tractor4 ,where'd that come from8 asked his uncle1 as he helped his bride from the auto4 ,oh1 laughed ,bob1 as he stepped forward to shake hands with them1 that's another of ,john ,white's jokes4 ,he's had nearly everybody in the county out here on the farm while you were away1 showing them how easy it is to plow with power4 ,well1 ,bob1 ,i don't want your ,uncle ,joe to get married again soon1 laughed his new aunt1 but it does seem to have been lucky for him this time1 for you've certainly got more plowing done while he was away getting married than he'd have gotten if he stayed at home1 as1 much to ,bob's embarrassment1 she suddenly bent over and kissed him4 ,things seem to be moving faster on the farm1 ,bob1 since you and your ,uncle ,joe started working together1 she laughed1 as they all started for the house4 ,bob could not remember any time in his life when he had been quite so happy as he was that night at supper1 sitting in silence opposite his new aunt1 listening to the story of the wedding and honeymoon4 ,there was something about the frank open smile that she bestowed upon him from time to time which established her in his confidence1 and made him feel that the coming summer was going to be a very pleasant one4 ,he wondered what shape the first suggestion for improvement by his aunt might take1 but he didn't have long to wait1 for the very next morning at breakfast she turned to her husband and said3 ,have you figured out yet1 ,joe1 how much pipe it will take to bring the water from the spring into the house8 ,i think we should arrange for running water in the kitchen and put in a bathroom1 and ,i have also been thinking that1 instead of using the small room beyond the kitchen as a pantry1 we could do away with that and fit up a washroom1 with a toilet and shower for the men4 ,a farmer is just as much entitled to a shower after his day's work as a golf player and is even more benefited by its use4 ,we could easily make a cellar under it for the hot-water heater and supply hot water to the kitchen1 washroom and the bathroom on the second floor1 as well as the laundry4 ,i've been looking up the cost of plumbing and don't think the whole thing would cost more than five or six hundred dollars1 exclusive of digging the trench4 ,when his aunt began to speak1 ,bob scanned the face of his uncle1 and he noticed that while his uncle smiled and said he would have to look into the matter1 ,bob noticed his brow contract in a way that spoke ill of the project being carried out--at least at the present time4 ,now that the plowing had been done1 it was decided that they would spend a few days in cleaning out the fence rows and repairing fences1 and as they were leaving for this work shortly after breakfast1 ,bob made a discovery4 ,his aunt came into the woodshed where they were getting out their mattocks and brush hooks and said3 ,there are a few things ,i wanted to get in town to-day1 ,joe1 so ,i'll take the car and drive in4 ,why1 you can't drive yet1 ,bettie1 declared her astonished husband4 ,oh1 yes1 ,i can1 she laughed4 ,i have my license1 too4 ,i learned last summer4 ,while ,i'm in town1 ,i'll speak to a plumber about the work1 and ,i think1 too1 we should also have a telephone put in4 ,it will be quite awkward getting along without one4 ,all right1 ,bettie1 said her husband4 ,it will do no harm to get a price on them1 even though we won't get them until fall1 and he kissed her good-by and started for the field4 ,she certainly doesn't let her ideas get cold1 thought ,bob1 as he walked along with his uncle1 and1 after all1 it would not cost any more to put the water in now than it would in the fall1 and besides they'd have the use of it all summer4 ,that night after the chores were finished and the supper dishes were put away1 his uncle and aunt adjourned to the sitting room1 where ,bob noticed a fine reading lamp1 surrounded by magazines and farm bulletins1 had been placed in the center of a large oak table4 ,come into the sitting room1 ,bob1 called his aunt1 when he returned to the kitchen after doing his chores4 ,i want to show you the pictures of our new bathroom fixtures ,i got from the plumber to-day4 ,it was only natural that ,bob should have wondered just how far his aunt and uncle would take him into their confidence in the planning of the work on the farm1 and he was not only relieved but very much pleased at her early invitation to their conferences1 having to do with improvements and the expenditure of money4 ,he took it as a compliment to his interest in the farm work1 and felt nothing would be too hard for him to undertake while his ,aunt ,bettie followed the results4 ,here's the plumber's estimate1 ,joe1 she said1 opening a letter4 ,he wants #bej for the bathroom and washroom equipment1 including a four- foot white enamel wash sink with soap dishes and tempering faucets4 ,you see1 by putting in a sink of this sort1 the hot and cold water is mixed as it comes through the faucet1 and all the dirty water runs away so that you can always wash in clean water1 which is better than filling a bowl4 ,this four-foot sink will allow two people to wash at once4 ,this is the hot-water heater that we will put in the cellar4 ,it will mean the putting in of a new door and steps on the north side of the building for taking out the ashes4 ,that will be some concrete work for you1 ,bob1 she smiled across to him4 ,the heater will keep the floor of the washroom warm in winter and prevent the pipes from freezing4 ,we ought to take out the wood floor of the washroom and put in a concrete floor1 but ,i think the wood floor will have to answer until we build our new house4 ,the plumber said he could manage this by putting in a galvanized iron tray on the floor under the shower and connecting it to the waste pipes4 ,if you are careful when you use the shower and not splash the water too much over the wood floor1 ,i guess we can get along with this arrangement4 ,this1 however1 doesn't include the cost of bringing the water down from the spring4 ,i thought1 inasmuch as our plowing and harrowing had been done so soon1 you could take the time off1 ,joe1 to dig the ditch and put in the pipe yourself4 ,a one-inch galvanized genuine wrought-iron pipe will cost ten cents per running foot and a two-inch pipe twenty-two cents per foot4 ,a one-inch pipe ought to be big enough1 said ,joe1 to supply all the water we want4 ,yes1 perhaps it would be for the house alone1 she replied1 but then there's the barn and the hen house and the new dairy house to take into account1 besides a watering trough in the barnyard and water bowls in the new cow barn for each cow1 and ,i think for all these we really ought to have at least a two-inch pipe1 so that the pipe will be in for all time1 and1 of course1 it would not pay to use steel pipe--that would rust too quickly4 ,the hard job will be the digging of the ditch1 for the pipe ought to be at least three and a half feet to four feet underground1 so as to be sure it will not freeze up during the winter4 ,don't you think we ought to build new concrete walls and put a cover on the spring1 ,aunt ,bettie8 inquired ,bob1 so that nothing can get into the spring to foul the water8 ,that would be a good idea1 ,bob4 ,do you suppose you could make a rough sketch and figure out how much concrete it would take to do that8 ,why1 there's a sketch in one of the concrete bulletins that shows how that can be done1 replied ,bob4 ,i'll get the book right away1 he said4 ,bring your bulletins down to the sitting room and leave them on the table1 ,bob1 called his aunt1 that is1 if you don't mind4 ,perhaps it would be well if they were all here so we could all see them4 ,all right1 said ,bob4 ,he returned a few minutes later and after looking up the suggestion set to work1 and by nine o'clock a rough sketch for enclosing the spring had been made4 ,it would require thirteen hundred and fifty feet of two-inch pipe to bring the water to the house1 which would cost #big and the probable cost of the ditch would be #fbe4 ,when the figures were all put together it was found the improvement would mean an outlay of #aagb1 if they paid to have the ditch dug1 but1 of course1 they could save #fbe1 by doing the digging themselves4 ,i'd like you to have the water in the house1 ,bettie1 said her husband1 as he rose to retire1 much worried at the large amount of money1 but on top of all the expenditures we have made already1 ,i don't think it would be possible to put it in at this time4 ,well1 we won't decide to-night1 ,joe1 his wife said1 smiling4 ,i think it is always best to think such matters over carefully before we undertake them4 ,all during the next day it was quite evident to ,bob that his uncle was puzzled and worried4 ,on the impulse of the moment he had been persuaded by ,john ,white1 president of the ,first ,national ,bank1 to invest in what he considered a very much larger equipment of live stock than he would otherwise have done1 and he had also allowed ,white to persuade him to spend #aejj for the tractor1 plow1 disk and harrow4 ,the chances of making the farm earn enough to take care of the interest on his obligations at the bank and perhaps pay off something on the principal1 looked all right while ,john ,white was explaining it1 but now that he had had sufficient time to reflect on the matter1 he felt that perhaps he had overstrained his resources in taking on this additional financial burden4 ,it was not the six per cent interest that worried him so much as the fact that ,bettie wanted to spend almost #abjj to repair the house from which there could be no returns--the cost of which would have to be earned just the same4 ,he was particularly silent and abrupt with ,bob as they worked upon the fence rows and scolded him severely when he did not anticipate his wishes in the matter of placing the rails for the repairs of the fence4 ,he scolded him unmercifully when1 through his eagerness to please him1 he happened to drop the sharp corner of a rail on his uncle's hand4 ,it was in this state of mind that ,joe ,williams came in to supper that evening to greet his smiling wife4 ,nothing was said during supper about putting in running water and fitting up a new bathroom1 but ,bob noticed the roller towel and horn comb had disappeared and that each had their own towel1 brush and comb4 ,when the supper dishes had been put away1 and they had all adjourned to the sitting room1 ,bob's aunt opened the drawer in the sitting-room table and took out several sheets of carefully compiled figures1 which she handed over to her husband4 ,what's this1 ,bettie8 he asked1 taking up the papers4 ,that1 ,joe1 is an inventory of our assets and liabilities1 she answered smiling4 ,well1 does it look as bad as it sounds8 laughed her husband1 as he took up the statement and glanced at it hurriedly4 ,what's it all about1 ,bettie1 and why have you been worrying your head with figures to-day8 he said1 placing the papers on the table1 without seeming to comprehend their meaning4 ,i've been thinking for several days1 ,joe1 that we should know where we stand in the matter of the cost of our farm and equipment1 so that we can figure out our possible income and profit4 ,i don't think it would be wise to go ahead and buy and sell without knowing in advance the value of everything we own2 the amount of money we're obligated for in the way of loans and have estimated the probable cost of carrying on the work through harvest1 and what our crops and produce ought to sell for4 ,,item ,,inventory ,,april #ae1aiaf ,farm1 #afj acres 444444444444444444444444444444444444 #f1jjj4jj ,cows3 #aj head #age 44444444444444444444444444444444444 #a1gej4jj #h head #fj 44444444444444444444444444444444444444 #dhj4jj ,bull1 #a head #cej 44444444444444444444444444444444444 #cej4jj ,calves1 #d head #aj 444444444444444444444444444444444444 #dj4jj ,horses3 #b head #cej 4444444444444444444444444444444444444 #gjj4jj #b head #bjj 4444444444444444444444444444444444444 #djj4jj ,hogs3 #e head #dj 44444444444444444444444444444444444444 #bjj4jj #f head #cj 44444444444444444444444444444444444444 #ahj4jj ,sheep1 #ab head #bj 4444444444444444444444444444444444 #bdj4jj ,chickens 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 #ej4jj ,machinery and ,tools 444444444444444444444444444444444444 #abe4jj ,automobile 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 #ddj4jj ,feed and ,supplies 4444444444444444444444444444444444444 #cjj4jj ,growing ,crops 7,labor and ,seed7 4444444444444444444444444 #ahj4jj ,cash 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444444 #aaj4jj ,bills ,receivable 444444444444444444444444444444444444444 #ge4jj ---------- ,total ,resources 44444444444444444444444444444444444 #aa1fbj4jj ,mortgage and ,bills ,payable 444444444444444444444444444 #f1jjj4jj ---------- ,net ,worth4444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444 #e1fbj4jj ,i have started with to-day1 ,april #a1 #aiaf1 but next year it will be better to take our inventory so that we can start on ,march #ast1 which will be just before the spring work starts4 ,then we can see what our gain is for the year4 ,we'll have to run separate accounts for all our crops and stock as well as feed and labor in order to see what the gain or loss is on any item4 ,after we get them started1 it will take only a few minutes each day to keep them up to date4 ,here1 you see1 she continued1 as she walked around the table and sat on the arm of his chair1 ,i've listed the farm at its probable value-- #fjjj4 ,but you have listed it at #bjjj more than ,i paid for it1 protested her husband4 ,that's because it's worth #bjjj more than when you bought it1 she laughed1 for with the new ditch you have added fifteen tillable acres and we still have a pond and a better driveway up to the barn4 ,then1 of course1 ,i've included in the improvements the running water and bathroom equipment4 ,we've not decided to put that in yet1 said her husband quickly1 to which she made no reply4 ,then you see1 ,i've listed our stock and equipment at #eebj4 ,these added together make our assets total #aa1ebj4 ,you have already obligated yourself at the ,first ,national ,bank for #edjj1 and when we get the loan for the running water1 it will make a total of about #fjjj4 ,at the mention of a further loan1 ,bob noticed his uncle's brow contracting in a way that did not speak well for the installation of the running water4 ,but you're missing the best item of all1 ,joe1 said his wife1 the sand pit4 ,i was talking to ,mr4 ,white about this when ,i was in town yesterday1 and he feels sure that by the time ,mr4 ,brady gets all the sand he requires for the railroad work1 they will be making concrete roads throughout the county and that there'll be a big demand for this pit4 ,while ,i don't know exactly how big the pit is1 ,i've estimated that it contains thirty thousand yards4 ,if we figure this at #ej cents per yard1 the price ,mr4 ,brady is paying1 it will bring us #ae1jjj4 ,but ,i'm afraid those are only day dreams1 ,bettie1 laughed her husband good-naturedly2 it couldn't be possible that so much money could be gotten out of a sand pit4 ,why not8 asked his wife4 ,in ,new ,england there are many large supply companies who make a business of digging1 washing and selling sand and gravel and carry on a very large business in this material4 ,you have no idea what a hold concrete is getting on the country these days4 ,it's such an excellent material in the first place1 and besides it's so cheap and easily handled that any one can build all manner of structures with it4 ,so you see1 ,joe1 she added1 smiling up at him1 if the farm doesn't pay a penny for an entire year1 and we don't sell any sand besides what ,mr4 ,brady has agreed to take after paying for the improvements that he is making1 we'll still have more than enough money coming from the sand pit alone to pay the interest on all our obligations and leave us #bejj to #ejjj4 ,i know we're going to have something good from the farm itself1 besides4 ,so ,i'm in favor of not only putting in running water in the bathroom1 but building the new dairy house at the same time4 ,the cellar under the kitchen here is a bad place to keep the milk and the work is very much increased on account of having to carry the ice down there4 ,besides1 the floor is damp and the place has a musty odor4 ,how much will a dairy house cost as you are planning to build it1 ,bettie8 asked her husband1 looking up hopelessly4 ,i don't know exactly1 ,joe1 she replied1 glancing across the table at ,bob1 but we've been looking over the bulletins and as near as we can estimate1 it ought not to cost more than #ejj for a dairy house alone1 but when we build the new dairy house1 ,i think we should abandon this old wooden ice house that keeps the yard all mussed up with sawdust-- besides1 you have to cut from thirty to fifty per cent1 more ice than we really use in order to provide for the great waste in such a poorly built house4 ,now1 if we build our ice house in connection with the dairy house1 it will be better protected and the waste will be practically eliminated4 ,besides1 we can have a refrigerator built in under the ice to keep butter1 meat and poultry1 which is something we don't have now1 the way the ice house is built4 ,get the sketches1 ,bob1 that you and ,i were talking over and show them to your uncle1 said his aunt smiling1 seeing that she had won her point4 ,as ,bob's grandmother passed through the sitting room on her way to bed that evening1 she saw three heads close together bending eagerly over the sketches1 while ,bob and his aunt in turn explained to ,joe ,williams the design and advantages of a modern dairy and ice house combined4 ,h'm6 she sniffed to herself4 ,joe's new wife is certainly starting in early to spend his money for him4 ,he'll find out it's easier to spend money than it is to make it1 and ,i'll be glad when ,i get away from here so that they can't say ,i helped to put him in the poorhouse4 ,,xi ,,tony ,good morning1 son--is your uncle around8 inquired ,mr4 ,brady1 the following ,monday morning as ,bob was getting ready to start work digging the trench for the new water supply4 ,he's in the woodshed now1 replied ,bob1 but he'll be out here in a few minutes4 ,how do you like the ditch1 son8 ,it's a fine job1 ,mr4 ,brady1 replied ,bob4 ,when are you going to put in the cement drain tile8 ,they ought to be here to-day and it won't take long to put them in1 once they're here4 ,the digging's all done already4 ,i've a lot of men coming to-morrow1 and ,i'll make a short job of that and the building of the dam4 ,what ,i wanted to see your uncle about was1 when's he going to put a man on at the gravel pit so we can start taking gravel away4 ,we'll have to screen some sand for face work1 but in most cases ,i expect to use the sand and gravel together1 just as it comes from the pit4 ,won't you have to measure it out1 asked ,bob1 to get the right aggregate8 ,in most cases we would1 son1 answered the contractor1 but your pit is running just about right--twice as much gravel as sand1 which makes a very good concrete1 so as soon as we get through with the steam shovel at the dam ,i want to put it up in the pit and start my trucks hauling sand to the railroad bridges4 ,the engineer tells me he'll be ready for me with his lines by the end of the week4 ,oh1 good morning1 ,mr4 ,williams6 said the contractor1 as ,bob's uncle approached4 ,how about the man to take care of the tickets at the sand pit8 ,by ,george1 ,i forgot all about that6 exclaimed ,joe ,williams4 ,you'll have to excuse me1 ,mr4 ,brady4 ,i was pretty busy last week with getting married and everything and forgot all about the man4 ,that reminds me1 ,john ,white was speaking to me about a man the other day for some light work on the farm1 but if ,i can't locate one within1 a day or two1 ,i'll let you put one of your men on4 ,all right4 ,i want to begin taking sand away by ,monday at the latest1 said the contractor4 ,some activities1 ,mr4 ,williams1 you're having around here1 what with the steam shovel working in the ditch and a tractor plow working in the fields4 ,we've had about everybody in the county stopping here within the last week inquiring what's going on4 ,i've had a lot of fun out of it1 too1 he laughed4 ,how's that8 inquired ,joe ,williams4 ,well1 said the contractor1 winking at ,bob1 ,i told everybody who asked that we were digging for ',hidden ,treasure1' and do you know1 some of them believed me4 ,that's right1 said ,bob1 we are digging for ',hidden ,treasure1' and what's more1 ,mr4 ,brady1 we're finding it4 ,i think if ,i were to stay around with you very long1 sonny1 you'd be after making me believe the moon was made of green cheese1 as they say in ,ireland1 but with you charging me fifty cents a yard for sand1 ,i know you're making money all right4 ,but you're wasting your time here on the farm1 me boy--it's a contractor you should be4 ,i don't agree with you1 ,mr4 ,brady4 ,i think farming is the best of all4 ,building is interesting1 of course1 but planting crops and raising cattle and seeing things grow is the most interesting thing in the world to me1 and ,i'm going to be a farmer4 ,i like to hear the birds sing while ,i'm working4 ,oh1 but we've birds singing in the contracting business1 too1 for what's sweeter music to the ear than the puffing of a hoisting engine1 or the rattling of the chains of a steam shovel8 ,music is music the world over--it's only a matter of education the kind we enjoy most4 ,now1 to me1 the escaping steam is the sweetest music ,i know1 for it means dollars to me2 but ,i must be looking after me work instead of standing here blarneying with you all the morning4 ,i wish we had your men to dig our trench for the new water supply1 ,brady1 said ,joe ,williams4 ,how deep do you want it8 asked the contractor4 ,about four feet4 ,i guess that's the depth you wanted to make it1 ,bob8 he asked turning to his nephew4 ,yes1 ,uncle ,joe1 he replied4 ,say1 ,williams1 you're wasting time and good muscle digging that trench4 ,let me dig it for you in two days4 ,what--in two days6 exclaimed ,joe ,williams4 ,you surely couldn't use your steam shovel for that job1 it would be too big and heavy4 ,i'll be using no steam shovel1 ,williams1 said the contractor4 ,i'll use dynamite4 ,why1 how could you do that8 asked ,bob1 interested at once4 ,sure1 my boy1 there's many easier ways than digging a trench with a pick and shovel4 ,i have some dynamite in town now that would be just the thing to blast out your trench4 ,of course1 it will scatter the dirt around some1 for dynamite is usually used to make an open ditch rather than one that is to be re-filled1 but it will be less work to gather up the dirt than to dig through the hard shale1 and that reminds me1 he continued1 when you come to put in your concrete fence posts1 don't break your back digging holes if you strike hard shale2 just put in a stick of dynamite and loosen her up--you'll find it will save you lots of backaches4 ,how much would it cost1 ,brady8 asked ,joe ,williams much interested4 ,let me see1 said the contractor4 ,you1 say it's about #adjj feet long and four feet deep4 ,that will mean putting down #dgj holes1 three feet six inches deep1 and require #cfj pounds of dynamite4 ,he figured for a moment on a memorandum pad and added3 ,i'll do the whole job for #ajj4jj1 which is about one-fourth of what it will cost you to open up the ditch1 and ,i'll complete it in two days4 ,you may have to level off the bottom of the trench here and there for the pipe1 but at that it will be easier than digging the entire trench4 ,all right1 ,brady1 said ,joe ,williams2 when will you start8 ,to-morrow morning1 said the contractor4 ,i'll get the dynamite to- day4 ,but isn't dynamite dangerous1 ,mr4 ,brady8 asked ,bob4 ,no1 son1 not when it's taken care of properly4 ,you know1 you don't set your kerosene oil can on a hot stove1 neither do we leave dynamite around where it is likely to be put off1 but it's just as safe as gunpowder1 if you handle it right4 ,you ought to have the ground in your young orchard loosened up a bit with a few sticks4 ,you'll be surprised to know how it will improve the production of your trees4 ,does it really improve the land1 ,mr4 ,brady8 asked ,bob4 ,haven't you read about that1 ,bob8 ,i thought you were reading everything about farming4 ,illustration with caption3 ,,ditch ,,digging ,,by ,,dynamite--,,one-,,half ,,the ,,cost--,,one-,,tenth ,,the ,,time1 ,,and ,,no ,,backache ,i've read considerable1 ,mr4 ,brady1 but never anything about dynamite1 but the next time ,i go to town ,i'll stop around at the ,first ,national and ask them if they have any literature on dynamite4 ,you know they're running a ',constructive ,bank' now and distribute literature to the farmers1 and ,i'm sure ,john ,white will have the information4 ,that's right1 my boy1 find out all about it first1 and then you'll know the reason for using it1 and how to apply it4 ,well1 ,i must be going4 ,i'll take care of the job to-morrow4 ,good day1 ,mr4 ,williams2 good-by1 son1 he said1 as he turned and strode down the hill toward the new drive where the steam shovel was making fast inroads into the remaining bank4 ,there's one thing ,i like about ,brady1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob1 as they watched him disappear4 ,he does things quickly and he does them well4 ,did you notice how straight and even the slope of the two sides of the ditch were made1 and how he leveled off the north bank on top8 ,well1 ,bob1 you know ,i always like a straight furrow myself1 replied his uncle1 and have always claimed that there isn't a man in the county can plow a straighter one4 ,and there won't be a man in the county next year1 ,uncle ,joe1 who can plow a faster one than you1 laughed ,bob1 when you get your new tractor going4 ,that certainly was a great piece of work1 said his uncle1 looking admiringly at the ploughed fields1 but where can we get a man to look after the sand pit1 ,bob8 ,why not let ,brady put on one of his men and settle it8 ,don't you think we ought to have a man of our own1 ,uncle ,joe1 rather than take one of his8 ,no doubt1 ,brady's honest1 but he's human4 ,suppose he'd forget once in a while to give us some tickets4 ,oh1 well1 we wouldn't miss a load or two of sand4 ,no1 said ,bob1 but it might get to be a habit with him1 and you know1 according to ,aunt ,bettie's figures1 the sand is going to help a lot in getting our loan paid off quickly at the bank4 ,well1 the next time ,i go to town1 ,i'll see who ,i can find1 he replied4 ,you know1 ,uncle ,joe1 if we had a telephone we could call up this morning and probably have a man out here by noon4 ,don't you think ,aunt ,bettie was right in wanting to have a 'phone8 ,oh1 that's been taken care of1 said his uncle4 ,i told ,bettie to go ahead and have it put in4 ,i thought it would be nice to be able to call up our friends in town and talk to them on rainy days and ,sundays when we didn't want to drive in4 ,besides1 as you say1 it will be useful at times to save trips4 ,they spent the morning repairing the fences1 which1 under their persistent work1 were beginning to look like real fences again4 ,there was one thing about ,joe ,williams--whatever he did1 he did thoroughly1 and the undergrowth was cut from both sides1 heaped into piles and burned4 ,do you know1 ,uncle ,joe1 if we had wire fences1 on concrete posts1 we'd never have any work like this to do each spring4 ,the plows would keep the sides clean4 ,think of what it would mean1 ,uncle ,joe1 to get rid of fence rows and repairing old rail fences4 ,then there's the wasted land that the fence takes up2 that's a dead loss4 ,yes1 ,i can easily see that1 replied his uncle4 ,bettie was talking about that last night4 ,they had worked all morning and were on their way to the house to dinner when they saw a man coming across the fields toward them4 ,he came from the direction of the farm above1 and as he approached they saw he was a youthful foreign-looking chap--probably an ,italian and not more than twenty or twenty-one years old4 ,he carried a bundle at the end of a stout stick thrown across his shoulder1 and when he had gotten within speaking distance1 he called3 ,good-a morn6 ,do you need-a da mase or-a da carpendero to do-a da work8 ,oh1 you're one of the plumber's men8 asked ,bob1 thinking perhaps his aunt might have asked to have some men sent out to work on the new cellar under the washroom where the hot-water heater was to go4 ,no1 ,i no-a da plumb4 ,i-a da mase and-a da carpendero4 ,oh1 you want a job8 asked ,bob1 catching his meaning4 ,yes-a1 da job1 but no-a work-a da field4 ,i no-a da farmer--,i-a da mase and-a da carpendero4 ,bob exchanged glances with his uncle1 who shook his head4 ,what's your name8 he asked1 suddenly turning to the applicant4 ,tony4 ,what do you say1 ,uncle ,joe1 if we have ,tony go down to the house with us and talk the matter over with ,aunt ,bettie8 ,he might be the man we could use at the sand pit4 ,besides1 he added suddenly1 he might be the very fellow to help build the dairy house--if he understands both carpentry and mason work1 he would be a big help4 ,how much will you work for8 asked ,joe ,williams1 who hesitated at paying any money in wages4 ,how much-a da work to do8 asked ,tony4 ,oh1 we've enough for a week or a month--maybe more--that's if you can do our work4 ,i understand-a da work1 replied ,tony1 and ,i like-a da live in-a da country1 if you no-a make-a me sleep in-a da barn4 ,where do you come from8 asked ,bob4 ,from ,italia4 ,my fader1 he-a da contracdisto and ,i learn-a da mase and-a da carpendero4 ,well1 why didn't you stay in ,italy8 asked ,bob4 ,oh1 he said1 shrugging his shoulders1 there no-a da mon in-a da ,italia and too-a much da hard work4 ,so asking questions and listening to ,tony's answers the three reached the house1 where ,bob quickly explained the matter to his aunt4 ,she came out and asked ,tony to stay and have dinner with them4 ,he was given a basin and towel and after he had made his toilet his appearance was decidedly improved4 ,he says he doesn't want a job1 remarked ,joe ,williams to his wife1 when they were alone after dinner1 if he has to sleep in the barn4 ,well1 ,i don't blame him1 said ,bettie4 ,what's the matter with our south room8 ,your father and mother are moving to town to-morrow1 and you know we won't have use for all the rooms in the house4 ,the south room has a separate stairway leading from the small sitting room on the first floor4 ,we could give him those rooms and make him comfortable4 ,i rather like his appearance1 she added4 ,of course1 ,italians are foreigners and they're about as awkward in our country trying to speak our language as we would be if we were in their country trying to speak ,italian4 ,how much does he want to work for us8 ,he didn't say1 but ,i'll ask him1 and they adjourned to the porch4 ,how much money would you want1 ,tony8 asked ,joe ,williams1 to work for us1 say by the month8 ,where ,i-a da sleep8 asked ,tony quickly4 ,in that room up there on the second floor1 at the end of the porch4 ,and where ,i-a da eat8 he asked again4 ,why1 with us1 of course1 said ,joe ,williams4 ,then ,i stay-a da mont and do-a da work1 and when ,i get-a da through1 we make-a da barg4 ,if you like-a my work and ,i like-a da place1 then ,i stay1 but if you no-a like me and ,i no-a like you1 then ,i go4 ,all right1 laughed ,joe ,williams1 that's a bargain1 ,tony4 ,do you want to begin work right away8 ,yes1 ,i no like-a da loaf1 said the man1 shrugging his shoulders4 ,all right1 come around here and ,i'll show you what we want done1 he said and took him around behind the house1 showed him where to dig out and build a new entrance to the cellar under the washroom and put in a flue for the heater4 ,bob was much interested in the making of the trench for the new water system1 and while his uncle went to town for the pipe and some pipe tools for laying it1 ,bob1 at ,brady's direction1 plowed two deep furrows1 six feet apart1 outlining the two edges of the trench4 ,he plowed each furrow a foot or more deep1 so as to outline the edges of the trench and keep the top as narrow as possible4 ,the contractor's foreman and his gang quickly drove their iron bars into the earth three feet six inches deep and about three feet apart and loaded the holes as they went4 ,when they had fifty charges in place1 the foreman connected up the battery1 and when the men were out of the way he raised the rack bar of the battery to its full height and shoved it down hard4 ,up came the earth and a neat open trench four feet deep and one hundred and fifty feet long lay open before them4 ,by the time his uncle had returned1 over half the length of the trench had been made and was ready for the pipe4 ,dynamite certainly is a quick means for doing a hard job1 thought ,bob1 and he immediately decided to learn more about its uses4 ,bob was surprised and pleased to see how quickly and easily ,tony could lay out and execute a piece of work4 ,it was no time at all until the excavation was done1 the wall was cut through for a door opening and the forms made for concrete steps to lead down into the new cellar4 ,fortunately1 they found that the foundation went down low enough to give them the five-foot head room they needed for the hot-water heater4 ,the hardest work was to connect the flue opening to a flue in the old chimney1 which they found had been built up solid with masonry4 ,this made it necessary to take the plaster off back of the chimney and cut a groove4 ,either by instinct or accident1 ,tony located a flue1 and before the end of the week they not only had the doorway and flue completed1 but had laid a cement floor on the cellar as well4 ,tony showed ,bob how to mix the concrete and put it in place so as to get a smooth surface1 and explained why it was necessary1 in building steps and other concrete work1 that it should all be put in at one time and smoothed off as soon as it became sufficiently hard so it would not crack4 ,the morning after ,tony's arrival1 ,bob's grandparents said good-by to the old homestead and were taken in the auto to town4 ,bob's uncle drove the car1 and1 as it got under way1 ,bob overheard his grandmother remark3 ,too many new-fangled notions1 ,joe4 ,you'll surely go to the poorhouse before you're through4 ,all right1 mother1 he laughingly replied4 ,if we do1 we'll go on rubber tires and perhaps over concrete1 and the road won't seem so rough4 ,thomas ,williams and his wife had spent their entire lives in the country and moving to town did not mean for them a regular town house and lot1 they'd be too cramped to end their days that way4 ,they had purchased a comfortable house1 surrounded by a four-acre garden and orchard1 all in good repair1 and here1 as compared with the farm1 the work would be light indeed4 ,after making his parents comfortable in their new home1 ,joe ,williams drove out to meet his new purchases1 which were being delivered that day4 ,he met the cavalcade two miles out and accompanied them home4 ,illustration3 ,,one-,,half ,,the ,,herd1 ,,he ,,will ,,earn ,,his ,,initial ,,cost ,,in ,,three ,,years ,looks like a circus parade1 ,aunt ,bettie1 declared ,bob1 as they stood on the hill back of the barn and saw them winding up the lane4 ,first came the team of black ,belgian mares1 then the ten ,holstein cows1 with the bull leading his herd1 then a wagon with the five ,berkshire sows in a pen1 on top of which were the incubator and brooder1 and on top of these again the coops with the white leghorn and white rock chickens4 ,then came another wagon with the bee hives1 and following this the small flock of ,southdown sheep1 looked after by a fine collie dog1 and last of all came ,joe ,williams in his new auto1 smiling like the king he felt himself to be4 ,it was an impressive sight to see this procession of fine-blooded stock arrive at the farm1 and the eyes of both ,bob and his aunt were glistening when they looked at each other as the procession came up the new road into the barnyard4 ,well1 what do you think of them1 ,bettie8 called her husband1 jumping from his auto and kissing her4 ,almost like a circus procession4 ,hey1 ,bob1 show them where you want your bees4 ,better take them right over to the orchard and set them up where you intend to keep them this summer4 ,i've got a place already fixed for them1 he replied4 ,then as ,tony came near he called1 ,do you understand how to talk to ,italian bees1 ,tony8 ,yes1 ,i know-a da bees and-a da bees know-a me--no-a sting1 said ,tony4 ,all right1 said ,bob1 come with us1 and they climbed up on the wagon and drove across the meadow to the new apiary4 ,they placed the hives on the cinder foundation ,bob had made for them under the trees and when they were all placed they looked very attractive in their white paint4 ,i'm sorry ,i didn't buy them myself1 said the driver of the wagon1 who had been a farm hand for the former owner4 ,they're the greatest honey-makers ,i ever saw4 ,but ,i didn't have any place to take them1 so ,i had to let them go4 ,you're a lucky boy--you got them for a song1 but do you know how to handle them8 he inquired4 ,you'll have to look out for them now very carefully1 or you may lose them4 ,the spring is the time they require watching so they don't starve4 ,i've been reading up a lot about them1 said ,bob4 ,but what's in that box8 he asked1 as the driver unloaded his last piece--a large box like a tool chest4 ,these are your things for handling them1 ,bob--a smoker1 a veil1 some tools and a lot of extra parts and things4 ,if you want me to1 ,i'll come out the first nice warm day and help you look them over4 ,i'm not afraid of them4 ,call up my sister on the 'phone1 #ggj1 and tell her when you want me4 ,my name's ,john ,adams4 ,yes1 ,i will1 said ,bob1 and ,i'll pay you for your time1 too1 for while ,i've read some1 ,i've had no actual experience with bees4 ,well1 to-night1 after sundown1 take the blocks from the entrance and let them fly around in the morning4 ,you may lose a colony or two until you learn how to handle them1 but you needn't worry2 they're good breeders and will soon make up for that--but be sure and keep the hives cool in hot weather1 then they won't swarm so quickly4 ,when they got back to the house all the new cattle and other stock had been put away1 and the men were ready to return home4 ,that night before setting the new chickens at liberty1 ,bob caught and killed the two remaining ,dunghill roosters4 ,it was a tired but happy family that went to bed at ten o'clock that night1 instead of the regular hour of nine4 ,it seemed to ,bob that he had just closed his eyes when bedlam broke loose4 ,his first thought was of the new stock1 then of the dynamite1 but as he sat up in bed he realized it could not be either of them-- so1 throwing up his window1 he looked out4 ,in the moonlight he could distinguish many of their neighbors1 who were armed with everything from sleigh bells to horse fiddles1 and the racket they made in the stillness of the night seemed greater than any noise he had ever heard4 ,as he raised his window1 a shout went up1 the neighbors thinking it was ,bob's uncle1 but seeing their mistake they redoubled their efforts and kept the racket going for a half hour or more4 ,then his aunt and uncle appeared1 and invited the party into the house1 where the lamps were already lighted4 ,congratulations were extended1 a hasty lunch was set out1 the cider barrel tapped and a general good time enjoyed for an hour or more4 ,many of the boys had been former pupils of the bride and they were happy that she had chosen to come and live among them4 ,joe ,williams disappeared for a moment and when he returned he carried a large bottle of wine with a long blue ribbon tied to it4 ,boys1 he said1 when the cheering had stopped1 you all know that with the exception of cider1 ,i never drink anything4 ,oh1 don't let that worry you1 ,joe1 we're not so modest1 they shouted1 but he only held up his hand for silence4 ,this bottle of wine was given to us by a very good friend for a certain purpose4 ,we had intended to wait until later to use it1 but ,i don't know any better time than just now1 when our friends are all here to carry out our plans1 so come out into the yard a moment1 and they all adjourned to the front yard4 ,here ,joe ,williams and his bride stepped over to a young apple tree and handing her the bottle1 he tied the ribbon to a limb4 ,now1 boys1 ,bettie and ,i've decided to give our farm a name and sell our produce under that name--a sort of a trade-mark or standard of merit1 so now while you're all here1 we'll perform the ceremony4 ,taking the bottle firmly in both hands1 the bride stepped back1 stretching the ribbon tight1 then with a light shining in her eyes that was not a reflection of the moon1 she called in a clear voice1 ,i christen you ',brookside ,farm1' and sent the bottle crashing against the tree amid the cheers of the crowd4 ,when silence had been partly restored1 a man was seen mounting the steps of the porch1 and holding a stout stick in his hand1 he placed one end of the stick against his lips and there floated out upon the stillness of the night the old familiar air1 ,home1 ,sweet ,home4 ,when he had finished there were many shining eyes in the crowd1 but only ,bob recognized in the disappearing figure his new friend ,tony1 whose natural artistic nature had been responsible for such a fitting tribute4 ,when the boys had all gone home1 ,bob's aunt called him to the kitchen4 ,take this up to ,tony and thank him for me for the very fine touch he added to our ceremony1 and she handed him a plate heaped high with cake1 alongside of which his uncle set a large goblet of their rare old elder-berry wine--a mark of distinction conferred by his uncle only upon honored guests4 ,,xii ,,the ,,dairy ,,house ,while his uncle planted the oats ,bob and ,tony laid the water pipe in the new trench1 the plumbers put in the new fixtures and laid a sewer to the new cess pool4 ,a couple of sticks of dynamite prepared the hole for the latter1 which was later walled up by ,tony with large loose stone and covered over with a concrete slab--later on when they built the new house they would put in a concrete septic tank1 but for the present this cess pool would answer4 ,after laying the water pipe1 they borrowed a scoop from ,brady and gathered up enough dirt to fill the trench4 ,tony and ,bob now built the concrete enclosure around the spring4 ,an inch pipe connection for a future water trough was put in each field crossed by the trench1 and a valve placed on the line well under ground to prevent freezing4 ,by using a section of two-inch pipe set vertically over the valve1 they could open and close the valve with a long-stemmed wrench4 ,by the end of the week all was completed1 and there was running water in the house4 ,saturday arrived and they had found no one to look after the pit4 ,they were discussing the matter and wondering whom they could get1 when ,alex ,wallace came over to see ,bob about some sand they needed to build a new wall under their barn4 ,you don't happen to know of any one we could get to look after our sand pit1 do you1 ,alex8 asked ,joe ,williams1 as ,alex came up4 ,would it be heavy work1 ,joe8 asked ,alex4 ,no1 it would be an easy job--just taking a ticket from the drivers of the trucks for every load they take away1 and making concrete fence posts between times4 ,then ,i've the very man for you1 replied ,alex2 my father's brother1 ,duncan ,wallace4 ,he's a ,scot1 like my father1 and was a stone-cutter1 but the stone dust got into his lungs and he came to the country to see if he couldn't get better4 ,he isn't very strong1 but he could do any kind of light work4 ,how much would he want to work for us1 ,alex8 asked ,joe ,williams4 ,i'm sure ,i don't know1 he replied4 ,i'll bring him over this evening and you can talk to him yourself4 ,i want to get a couple of loads of sand1 ,bob1 he said1 addressing the latter4 ,how much will you charge me8 ,fifty cents a yard1 ,alex--cash or work1 replied ,bob4 ,if you'd rather work it out than pay the money1 we'd be glad to have the work4 ,you can do the work in your spare time4 ,what would the work be8 asked ,alex4 ,the first job1 said ,bob1 looking inquiringly at his uncle1 is digging a row of fence post holes along the main road to fence in our property4 ,we want to put in concrete fence posts and a wire fence along the main road4 ,after that's up we'll have lots of other fencing to be done4 ,how much will you want an hour for your time1 ,alex8 asked ,joe ,williams4 ,well1 about thirty cents1 replied ,alex4 ,all right1 we'll put you down for thirty cents an hour1 you to work as many hours as will be required to pay for whatever sand and gravel you get4 ,of course1 you can do the work whenever you have the spare time4 ,we'll stake out the post holes and show you the size we want them dug4 ,you must always let us know when you're going to work1 though1 so we can keep account of your time and give your credit4 ,all right1 said ,alex1 when can ,i get the sand8 ,monday morning1 said ,bob1 and your uncle can keep account of how much you get4 ,on ,monday morning ,joe ,williams took the new team and went to town for a wagon-load of ,portland cement4 ,the few bags they had in the shed were all used up in the repairs around the spring and cellar4 ,as it had been decided at the conference with ,john ,white1 the banker1 on ,saturday1 to build a new concrete dairy house and ice house1 equipped with running water1 it was necessary to lay in a new supply of cement4 ,bob looked up the cement bulletins on the handling of concrete1 and found that cement should be put in a shed piled on planks raised above the floor1 and that the shed should have a tight roof4 ,the only building that would answer these conditions was the wagon shed1 and after considering the matter1 he decided that by moving the wagons around a bit he could get a space at one end near the door that could be used for this purpose4 ,he got some old timbers eight inches thick1 and six feet long1 and laid them on the ground four feet apart1 and on top of these he put some two by ten plank1 and by the time his uncle returned with the first load he had a platform ready to receive the cement4 ,it's very important1 ,uncle ,joe1 to keep the cement dry and up from the ground so it won't set before we use it1 for the first bag in1 you know1 will be the last bag out1 and cement costs too much to lose any of it4 ,as soon as dinner was over1 ,joe ,williams went back to town for another load1 hauling it up the new road1 same as the first load4 ,i tell you1 ,bob1 it's a lot easier to bring a load up the new road than it was up the old one4 ,if the main road wasn't so rough1 ,i could haul even more4 ,i can see that ,john ,white's argument for concrete roads is a good one4 ,i'm going to talk it up to the farmers around here and see if we can't get them together and build the new road this summer4 ,i was talking to one of the ,county ,commissioners to-day and he says they are in favor of it1 but they want the owners of the adjoining farms to ask to have the road built4 ,the ,commissioners are politicians1 you know1 and don't want to do anything that will lose them votes4 ,it's going to take three days to haul out the cement we require for the new dairy house with such rough roads4 ,by the way1 ,bob1 his uncle continued1 ,john ,white wants you to come to town with me to-morrow and show him the kind of a dairy house we're planning to build4 ,he says he's anxious that it shall be a model that can be copied by other farmers4 ,i told him you didn't have much of a drawing1 but he said that he was sure if you took in the sketches you have1 you would be able to explain the construction to him so he could understand it4 ,the next day as they drove along they talked of the improvement on the farm and the profit they ought to be able to earn with the new equipment4 ,bob was the optimist and his uncle the pessimist in these discussions1 but optimistic ,bob was not without his pencil and memorandum book and usually had the better of the argument because of his uncle's disinclination to take the time to figure out the advantages and disadvantages of the schemes4 ,as soon as they arrived in town1 ,bob went around to the ,first ,national ,bank to see the president1 while his uncle stopped at the supply yard for another load of cement4 ,hello1 ,bob1 greeted the banker1 as he entered4 ,i hear you've put on some help at the farm to build some of those modern buildings you've been telling me about4 ,thought ,i'd like to know what you're doing4 ,got your plans with you8 ,they aren't very much of plans1 ,mr4 ,white1 explained ,bob4 ,i'm not much of an architect1 but maybe you can understand them4 ,bring them into the directors' room1 ,bob1 where we can look them over without interruption1 he said1 and ,bob for the third time was privileged to occupy this room4 ,the first thing ,i want to know1 said the banker1 is how you found the size dairy house you needed4 ,did you figure it out1 ,bob1 or just look up some catalogs and pick one out that pleased you8 ,no1 ,mr4 ,white1 replied ,bob1 ,aunt ,bettie and ,i decided first on the size of the dairy herd4 ,we thought that twenty cows would be as many as we would be able to take care of on a farm of the size of ours1 if we do general farming4 ,we have used a twenty-cow herd as the basis of our calculations4 ,we found by reading the recommendations in the ,government's bulletins1 that in order to keep a dairy of good milk cows1 it would be necessary to take care of five calves and five yearling heifers1 and an old and a young bull in order to keep the herd up to maximum production4 ,we figure that a herd of twenty ,holstein cows ought to average two hundred quarts of milk daily4 ,this would mean ten twenty-quart cans to take care of the milk1 and1 allowing for the ice1 would require a trough nine feet by two feet six inches by two feet4 ,if we separate the cream1 of course1 it wouldn't require such a large trough4 ,but we used this as a basis of the dairy requirements4 ,then we found by looking up another ,government bulletin that it would take about twenty tons of ice to take care of this milk1 but we need ice around the farm for other things1 too1 so we decided to make the icehouse large enough for thirty tons4 ,aunt ,bettie and ,i read all the bulletins we could get from the ,government and then we looked up the different ones sent out by the ,portland cement manufacturers1 but we found they didn't exactly agree2 besides1 we felt that if we could build the icehouse inside of the dairy1 the ice wouldn't melt so fast1 so we've decided to make a combination building like this1 he said1 as he laid his plans before the banker4 ,we're going to put this building back of the woodshed where it will join the new cow barn4 ,but isn't a twenty-cow herd pretty large for one man to handle1 ,bob8 asked the banker4 ,no1 ,mr4 ,white1 you can get a two-unit milking machine now that will milk twenty to twenty-five cows in one hour and give a ninety-eight per cent4 efficiency4 ,how much will that cost1 ,bob8 ,we can get a complete two-unit outfit consisting of pump1 air tanks1 two milking units1 installed in the barn1 complete for #dej4 ,but you've only ten cows1 now1 ,bob4 ,wouldn't that be too large for them8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,electric ,,milker ,,soon ,,pays ,,for ,,itself ,illustration3 ,,comfortable ,,sanitary ,,stalls ,,of ,,concrete ,,with ,,wood ,,blockpaving ,,on ,,floor4 ,,running ,,water ,,and ,,plenty ,,of ,,sunshine ,,assure ,a ,,healthy ,,and ,,contented ,,herd ,no1 ,mr4 ,white1 the outfit is designed for from ten to twenty-five cows1 and will do the milking twice as fast as by hand4 ,that's right1 ,bob2 put in machinery and cut down help4 ,let's see1 that would save at least two hours a day for one man at1 say thirty cents an hour1 or #bai per year4 ,you say the complete outfit costs #dej1 which amount at six per cent1 interest would mean #bg1 or a saving of #aib4 ,quite a saving1 ,bob4 ,have you laid out a general scheme for all your buildings8 asked the banker1 much interested4 ,yes1 replied ,bob4 ,aunt ,bettie and ,i have figured out the size and location of all the new buildings we'll need for the farm4 ,here they are on this drawing1 and he produced his general layout4 ,of course1 you know1 ,mr4 ,white1 we won't get them all at once1 but we want to build each one as we go1 so that it will be part of a definite scheme4 ,aunt ,bettie says we mustn't make any mistakes in the placing of our buildings4 ,what does your ,uncle ,joe say about all these plans8 asked the banker4 ,well1 ,uncle ,joe isn't very much interested just now1 ,mr4 ,white4 ,he thinks we're planning to spend too much money1 but ,aunt ,bettie says it isn't so much the amount of money we spend1 as the way in which it is spent that requires the planning4 ,that's right1 said the banker4 ,do your thinking first and your building afterward1 and then you won't have a lot of mistakes to work with all your life4 ,i like the way you've laid these buildings out1 ,bob4 ,you must have read a lot to get this idea4 ,where did you say the new hen house is to go8 ,over here behind the cow barn4 ,you see1 ,mr4 ,white1 our present buildings are all built facing the wrong way4 ,we don't get the right exposure4 ,besides1 ,aunt ,bettie and ,i think that the new house should set out where the old barn is at the present and the new barn should be out in the orchard back of the smokehouse4 ,the trees in this orchard are old anyway1 and it is about time they were cut down4 ,that would make a good layout for all the buildings and have them conveniently connected4 ,you see the new driveway comes up in the yard between the house and the barn1 where it ought to be4 ,that will make the general entrance to the house toward the barn and a garden entrance toward the main road4 ,that's right1 ,bob2 ,i'm glad to hear you talk about gardens4 ,i think the finest thing on a farm1 outside of making a profit1 he added smiling1 are flowers4 ,well1 the flowers are ,aunt ,bettie's idea1 said ,bob4 ,she says they've many nice gardens in ,new ,england1 and that she wants to have one out here1 and1 of course1 you know that'd be the southwest exposure1 and just the place for a flower garden4 ,what's this dotted line for1 ,bob8 asked the banker1 pointing with his lead pencil4 ,oh1 that's the water supply pipe from the spring on ',old ,round ,top'1 said ,bob4 ,you see1 we're planning to carry the water into all the buildings1 so it won't be necessary to take the stock out to water in the winter4 ,of course1 when we build the cow barn1 we'll put in individual water bowls for each cow4 ,aunt ,bettie and ,i are reading up on dairy barns now and when we come to build that we don't want any mistakes4 ,we want it just as good and practical as it can be made1 yet not too expensive4 ,after you get the dairy house up1 ,bob1 what's the next building you're going to build8 ,we want to build the hen house next1 ,mr4 ,white1 said ,bob1 but it's a good deal of work for just ,tony and ,i1 working by ourselves1 even though we do get up early in the morning4 ,besides1 it'll soon be planting time and ,uncle ,joe will need me in the corn field4 ,i was thinking of that1 ,bob1 said the banker thoughtfully1 tapping the table with the end of his pencil4 ,i wonder why it wouldn't pay your ,uncle ,joe to put on a man to help him and let you look after the buildings4 ,oh1 but he couldn't afford that4 ,besides1 ,i like to work at planting1 too1 replied ,bob hastily4 ,yes1 that's so1 said the banker1 but ,i think ,i told you1 ,bob1 ,i want to see your ,uncle ,joe's farm a model one1 and ,i don't want him to spend three or four years in fixing it up4 ,of course1 the other farmers won't do theirs quite so quickly2 they don't have sand pits on their farms1 but there's so much to do to get these old farms on a paying basis that ,i want to see your uncle's farm finished up completely by the end of this year4 ,but ,i'm sure ,uncle ,joe couldn't afford to go ahead with all the buildings1 ,mr4 ,white1 replied ,bob in alarm1 and while ,aunt ,bettie and ,i would like to see them put up and have all the improvements made without waiting so long1 it would cost a lot of money4 ,have you any idea1 ,bob1 what these buildings will cost8 asked the banker a moment later4 ,not exactly1 ,mr4 ,white1 although we've made up some figures1 using the prices given in the bulletins1 and trying to figure out the cost of the concrete work ourselves4 ,we think that the dairy house will cost #dej2 the hen house #ajjj2 the cow barn #aejj1 and the main barn #bjjj4 ,then there's the new piggery and the concrete feeding floor that goes with it4 ,the barn1 of course1 will have one or two silos--we haven't decided yet which will be best--and we want to put in a manure pit with a carrier system4 ,and ,i want to make some concrete shelters for my bee hives4 ,then1 of course1 we'll need some equipment1 such as a corn harvester and machine for filling the silos--these will cost about #ejj4 ,we ought to have a new machinery shed to keep all the farming implements in1 and ,i've been telling ,uncle ,joe we also need a shop with a forge for blacksmith work and some iron-working tools for making repairs to the farming implements1 also a small carpenter shop4 ,i want ,tony to make some new bee hives for me during the winter4 ,say1 you ought to hear ,tony play1 ,mr4 ,white1 said ,bob suddenly4 ,why1 what does he play8 asked the banker4 ,a flute1 said ,bob4 ,you just ought to hear him4 ,he plays the nicest music ,i ever heard4 ,does he sing1 too8 inquired the banker1 interested4 ,yes1 but it's in ,italian and ,i don't understand what it's all about1 except it's mostly about a bull fighter--he calls him a ,toreador4 ,you ought to hear him when we're out back of the barn some morning4 ,he not only sings1 but he acts it1 too4 ,he sticks the pitchfork into the straw stack1 like as if it's a bull1 and makes you believe he's killing it with a sword4 ,that's from the opera ,carmen1 laughed the banker1 at ,bob's description of the ,toreador ,song4 ,well1 ,i guess he must be a man of some education if he can sing that4 ,you better keep him around the place1 ,bob1 if you can4 ,but1 coming back to the question of buildings1 ,i think ,i'll speak to your ,uncle ,joe and see if we can't manage some way or other to let you work on the buildings so you can get them pushed along4 ,as ,i told you1 ,i want to see all your buildings up within a year4 ,oh1 you don't mean it1 ,mr4 ,white4 ,you don't mean the new barns and all4 ,yes1 everything1 ,bob1 he replied4 ,that would cost a lot of money1 said ,bob1 frightened at the idea of spending so much4 ,you seem to forget1 ,bob1 that ,i told you the ,first ,national ,bank was back of your ,uncle ,joe1 and as long as we don't worry1 he shouldn't4 ,besides1 if your ,uncle ,joe doesn't make good1 ,i'll charge it off to profit and loss against my ',constructive ,banking' scheme2 but ,i'm not going to worry about that feature1 ,bob--,i know your ,uncle ,joe is going to succeed4 ,you go ahead with your dairy house and ,i'll drive out in a few days to see how you're coming along4 ,give my regards to your ,aunt ,bettie1 he added1 as he waved good-by to the departing boy4 ,,xiii ,,visitors ,the building of the dairy was the most interesting thing ,bob had ever undertaken1 and they had not proceeded very far until he began to realize what a valuable helper he had in ,tony4 ,many times when he was at a loss to know how to proceed1 ,tony was ready with suggestions and seemed to know just what to do4 ,they made a careful list of all the material they needed1 and a rough sketch of the doors and windows with all sizes marked on them2 also the other equipment they would require4 ,these ,bob's uncle bought in town at a planning mill and hardware store4 ,the most important of all was a seven cubic foot self-charging gasoline-driven concrete mixer of a type that ,bob and ,tony had decided would be the best for their use4 ,the machine selected was not the cheapest one they could have bought1 but it was the one that required the least amount of labor to operate and was a substantial1 well-built machine1 guaranteed for one year4 ,father says it always pays to buy a good tool1 even if it costs a little more1 ,bob had advised his uncle when the latter questioned his selection1 but his uncle had finally given in and the mixer had been purchased4 ,bob was sure his uncle had had a plain talk with ,john ,white1 the banker1 for now1 instead of objecting each time materials and tools were bought1 he had readily consented4 ,i want you to keep an account of all the material1 time and money you spend1 ,bob1 so when we're through we'll know exactly what each building costs1 his uncle admonished4 ,i'm going to give all the bills for materials to you so you can check them up and see if we receive everything we order2 then you can make a record of what it costs4 ,john ,white said that when we're through he wants a detailed cost of the work1 to know exactly what each building has cost us1 and ,i think it's a good idea myself4 ,at the end of three weeks the dairy house was fully completed1 including the painting1 which ,bob and ,tony also did4 ,every day or two ,john ,white had driven out to the farm in the late afternoon to see how the work was progressing4 ,a stranger might have thought that the building was being erected for him from the interest he took in everything that was done4 ,i want to get posted on farm building construction1 ,bob1 he remarked1 one day when the building was nearly completed4 ,you see1 ,i'm going to preach the gospel of modern buildings among our farmers and loan them money for their improvements1 and ,i want to see how the thing is done4 ,i want them to get rid of the continual cost of up- keep1 to say nothing of the loss of time spent in repairing old buildings1 time they could use to earn good ,american dollars4 ,how soon are you going to start the hen house you were talking about8 ,illustration3 ,,small1 ,,self-,,loading1 ,,kerosene-,,driven1 ,,concrete ,,mixers ,,make ,,the ,,work ,,easy--,,two ,,men ,,can ,,mix ,,and ,,place ,,more ,,concrete ,,than ,,eight ,,working ,,by ,,hand ,,and ,,the ,,concrete ,,will ,,be ,,better ,,mixed ,we could start it this week1 said ,bob1 but ,uncle ,joe is talking about planting the corn4 ,don't you bother your head about that1 ,bob2 your ,uncle ,joe and ,i've had a talk and have worked that out all right4 ,if the sand pit holds out1 your ,uncle ,joe pays the expenses1 and if it doesn't hold out1 ,i guess ,i'll be stuck1 he laughed4 ,i want to see you devote all your time to getting these buildings up4 ,next year you can spend all the time you want raising crops4 ,but won't that make a lot of work for ,aunt ,bettie8 said ,bob1 considering the matter4 ,she's pretty busy now1 ,mr4 ,white4 ,i was thinking of that1 too4 ,it isn't fair that your uncle should have all the help on his end4 ,i only wish we knew where we could get a good woman to help her4 ,tony1 who was standing near1 was listening closely to what was being said3 ,mr4 ,bob1 ,i have-a no told you that ,i got-a da wife who live in-a da city1 and ,i know she like-a da come and work for-a your ,aunt ,bettie4 ,we got-a no-a da kids1 and she like-a da country1 like-a da me4 ,that's a fine idea1 said the banker1 turning around quickly4 ,where is she now1 ,tony8 ,she in ,pittsburgh1 wid her brud4 ,send for her right away1 ,tony1 said the banker4 ,all right1 ,mr4 ,white1 but ,i have no-a da mon4 ,oh1 that's so1 ,tony4 ,well1 we'll take care of that4 ,the banker left and returned a few minutes later and handed ,tony #be4 ,this is on account of your work1 ,tony4 ,all right1 ,i send-a da letter to-night1 and ,bob thought he saw a happy look in ,tony's eyes as he thrust the money into his pocket and started to work again4 ,bob1 said his aunt one morning1 a few minutes after he had brought the mail up from the ,r4 ,f4 ,d4 box on the main road1 ,i've some good news for you4 ,we're going to have company2 my two nieces who live in ,new ,england are coming to see us4 ,one is ,edith ,atwood1 my brother's daughter1 who lives in ,worcester1 ,massachusetts1 and the other is ,ruth ,thomas1 my sister's daughter1 who lives near ,wallingford1 ,connecticut4 ,ruth is eighteen and ,edith will be eighteen in ,september4 ,they finished high school last year and are both anxious to see our farm4 ,when will they get here8 asked ,bob1 not pleased at the news and wondering what the coming of two girls might do to upset their plans for the improvement of the farm4 ,they were not supposed to come before ,june1 replied his aunt1 seeing that ,bob was not pleased1 but ,ruth was so anxious to get into the country while we were planting that she persuaded ,edith to come now4 ,they'll be here on ,saturday4 ,that'll be day after to-morrow1 exclaimed ,bob1 the day ,i was planning to start work on the new hen house4 ,well1 you needn't stop on their account1 ,bob1 replied his aunt4 ,i'll drive in and get them4 ,i know how anxious you are to get the hen house started1 now that you have ,tony to help you4 ,all day ,bob kept turning over in his mind the invasion of his domain by two girls4 ,now1 why couldn't the visitors have been boys instead of girls1 then he could have enlisted their services in the construction of the new buildings4 ,what could he not do with two willing boys to help him8 ,why must these visitors be girls instead of boys1 he thought4 ,they would probably sit around the house all day1 reading magazines1 or want him to leave his work to drive them about in the car4 ,he felt sure the best part of the day1 the evening hour they all spent together in the sitting room1 discussing their plans1 would now be spoiled4 ,the next day he took the tractor with two trailing wagons and began hauling sand and gravel from the pit to the site of the hen house4 ,the operator of the steam shovel loaded the wagons for him and this saved much time for two shovelfuls made a load4 ,by noon they had brought up twenty loads1 enough to make a start on the foundations4 ,he again appreciated the convenience of having the water piped to this building1 the same as to the dairy house1 for a short hose gave them all the water they needed1 when and where they needed it1 and with the cement stored in the wagon shed near by they had all the materials they required to begin work4 ,bob took his tape line and with ,tony holding the ring against the fence that divided the south field from the barnyard1 measured off fifty feet and drove a peg4 ,then going eighty rods along the fence1 measured out fifty feet again and drove another peg4 ,he was careful to keep the tape line as nearly square with the fence as possible4 ,they now stretched a line between the two pegs and coming within a few feet from the first one1 set up a batter board three feet long1 and at right angles to the line--the same as they had done with the dairy house foundations4 ,then they measured off two hundred and fifty-two feet along the line and set up another batter board in the same manner4 ,this done1 they put in two other batter boards at right angles with the first1 but eighteen inches back of the line4 ,they drove two nails in these boards1 exactly two hundred and fifty feet apart4 ,they then placed another line parallel to and twenty feet away from the first one with similar batter boards1 and located the other end of the cross lines on the boards4 ,with a ten- foot pole and using the six1 eight and ten method1 they squared the lines1 and located the ends of the buildings4 ,bob then marked under the line with heavy black pencil the letters ,b4 ,l4--meaning building line4 ,this done they drove other nails in each batter board six inches outside of the building line to locate the outside of the footing1 and removed the lines to these nails4 ,from these new lines they measured back twenty inches and drove other nails1 locating the inner edge of the footings4 ,bob placed a large black letter ,f under each nail to designate the edge of footings4 ,they now took their picks and dug a small score in the ground directly under all the lines1 thus marking out correctly on the ground the outer and inner edge of the footings4 ,as the elevation of the ground at the northwest corner was the highest1 they set a grade stake with the top six inches above the ground at that point and from this stake set other stakes at ten-foot intervals in the center of the footings all around the building1 using the twelve-foot level board and mason's level to establish the correct elevation4 ,they took down their lines1 wound them up carefully and laid them aside for further use4 ,bob decided1 in order to keep the frost from getting under the walls1 they'd have to place the footings three feet below the finished grade4 ,in order to throw the water away from the buildings1 it would also be necessary to make a fall of six inches on the high corner4 ,this would make the trench for the footings two feet1 six inches deep at that point1 and as there was a drop of eight inches to the southeast corner1 the trench there would be one foot1 ten inches deep4 ,between the grade stakes they now dug out a section the full width of the footings and about three feet long1 and located the exact bottom of the trench by measuring down three feet from the under side of the level board as it rested on two of the grade stakes4 ,they threw the excavated earth inside of the building to bring the floor up to grade1 and when the depth holes were completed they dug out the sections between them1 leveling the intervening space by their eyes4 ,bob was so interested in the new building that he and ,tony went back and worked until dark1 so as to have the excavation ready for footings in the morning4 ,i'm going to scold you for breaking the ,union rules1 ,bob1 laughed his aunt1 when he came into the sitting room a few minutes after eight o'clock4 ,you know we decided not to work after six o'clock4 ,yes1 ,i know we did1 ,aunt ,bettie1 said ,bob1 but ,i was so anxious to get the excavation done1 ready for concreting to-morrow4 ,well1 ,i suppose if ,i could command the sun to stand still1 like ,joshua of old1 you wouldn't be willing to stop until the whole job was done1 she laughed4 ,how long do you think we could remain happy here if we all began working from daylight until dark8 ,life would soon become a burden1 and you'd be the first one to leave for the city1 ,bob4 ,besides1 if we keep long working hours1 we'll miss our pleasant evenings together1 and ,i'm not willing to give them up1 she smiled at him across the table4 ,i guess you're right1 ,aunt ,bettie1 he replied1 as he sat down in a chair1 too tired to read4 ,i won't do it again4 ,the next morning ,bob had his chores and milking done by six o'clock and by six-thirty he was out at the new hen house1 where he was joined by ,tony4 ,good-a morn1 ,mr4 ,bob1 smiled ,tony4 ,this-a the day we make-a da concrete fast4 ,that's what we will1 replied ,bob4 ,get some cement1 ,tony1 and we'll start the mixer going right away4 ,while ,tony was getting the cement1 ,bob filled his six cubic foot measure with sand and gravel1 and on top of these he placed one bag of cement1 then he started the engine and the elevator emptied the load into the drum1 which1 as soon as he added the water1 he set revolving4 ,when the concrete was thoroughly mixed1 he threw the dumping lever over and filled the wheelbarrow that ,tony placed under the discharging end of the drum4 ,by the time ,tony had dumped the three barrows of concrete into the trench1 ,bob had another batch ready for the machine1 and while this was being mixed ,tony leveled off the concrete in the trench even with the grade stakes1 set in the trench six inches above the bottom4 ,by night the footings were completed4 ,they now located and dug the footings for the piers of the cross partitions and concreted them1 so as to give the cement of the main footings a chance to set up before they began putting the forms on top of them4 ,they could have saved the forms below grade by making the excavation the exact width of the foundation wall1 but they felt this was poor economy1 for the work was uncertain and rough1 and the extra labor caused by trying to fit the forms to the sloping ground would more than offset the little saving2 besides1 it took more cement to fill in irregular trenches than it did ones of exact size4 ,they had taken the forms they used for the dairy house foundation1 together with some new sections1 and set them up on the new footing1 using wooden spreaders for holding them the right distance apart and placing heavy wires through the hole in the forms1 the ends of which encircled a pin and were twisted up tight securing the forms firmly together4 ,the three-foot form sections brought the top of the forms just under the line1 which was now stretched between the nails marked ,b4,l4 and the outside of the wall was correctly located4 ,they drove pegs into the ground on both sides and braced the top of the forms to hold them to the exact line4 ,they had only twenty sections1 each ten feet long1 enough for one end and four sections down each side1 so ,bob decided to put in the forms at the north end and concrete them1 and then remove them to the south end4 ,when the concrete there was sufficiently hard they could set up the forms between the two ends thus finished4 ,this would provide three expansion joints on each side1 which would be just right4 ,they had just completed the erection of the forms for the north end and filled the hopper with a new batch1 ready to be hoisted into the drum1 when ,bob happened to look toward the barn and saw the car come to a stop in the barnyard4 ,by the time he had cranked the engine1 the occupants of the car had alighted and his uncle was starting for the house1 his arms full of suitcases4 ,bob noticed that one of the girls who had alighted was of medium height and slender1 while the other was short and rather stout4 ,is that your new hen house8 he heard the stout one inquire of his aunt1 as he stopped the engine on the mixer1 and she looked over in ,bob's direction4 ,bob had again filled the drum and was watching the mixing of the concrete a few moments later1 when he heard someone behind him and turned around4 ,we thought we'd come out and see how you're getting along1 ,bob1 said his aunt1 smiling at him1 while the two girls came forward as she spoke4 ,i want you to meet my nieces1 ,bob4 ,this is ,ruth ,thomas1 and this is ,edith ,atwood--and this young man1 girls1 is ,robert ,williams1 about whom ,i spoke4 ,what a fib1 ,aunt ,bettie1 laughed ,ruth4 ,you know you've been talking about him ever since we got off the train1 and besides1 you called him ',bob1' not ,robert4 ,may ,i call you ',bob1' too8 she asked1 looking up at him4 ,i like it better than ,robert4 ,it doesn't take so long to say4 ,of course1 replied ,bob1 blushing4 ,i guess ,i wouldn't know who you meant if you called me ',robert1' for ,i've been called ',bob' ever since ,i can remember4 ,is that concrete1 ,bob8 asked ,ruth suddenly1 as he stopped the engine and brought the drum to a standstill4 ,what makes it so gray8 ,the cement1 said ,bob1 pleased to see her interested in his work4 ,is it sticky8 she asked1 as she put her fingers into it and stirred around in the mixture4 ,why1 it's gritty1 just like sand1 ,aunt ,bettie1 she said looking up4 ,of course1 said ,bob4 ,that's because it's made of sand and gravel and cement4 ,may ,i see you make some8 she asked4 ,yes1 in a few minutes1 he replied2 just as soon as we empty the drum4 ,you'd better stand back a little so that you won't get splashed when the concrete goes into the wheel-barrow1 as ,tony came forward4 ,and this is ,tony1 ,bob's assistant1 girls1 said their aunt4 ,this is ,ruth1 ,tony1 and this is ,edith4 ,i-a please to meet da young-a ladies1 said ,tony1 more embarrassed even than ,bob had been1 as he awkwardly placed the wheel-barrow under the drum4 ,as soon as the drum was empty1 ,bob measured out a charge of four parts gravel1 two parts sand and one part cement1 and then started the engine and dumped them into the drum1 where he added sufficient water for the mixing4 ,how do you tell how much water to put in8 asked ,ruth4 ,oh1 we learned that by experience1 said ,bob4 ,you see the mixer has a tank on top that holds the right amount1 but this may be varied if you like4 ,the concrete must be wet enough so that it quakes1 but not thin enough to run like water4 ,let me put in the water next time1 ,bob1 won't you8 she asked4 ,say1 ,aunt ,bettie1 may ,i help ,bob mix his concrete8 ,you better come to the house and help me1 replied her aunt laughing4 ,bob and ,tony1 ,i'm afraid1 would only find you in the way4 ,all right1 said ,ruth1 but on ,monday ,i'll help you1 ,bob1 and she started for the house with her aunt and cousin1 the latter ,bob now recalled had not spoken a single word1 beyond the introduction4 ,i'm going to help ,bob mix concrete on ,monday1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,ruth at supper that night4 ,i know how it's done4 ,you take four parts of cement1 two of sand and one part of gravel1 and put them in the1 ',what do you call it1 ,bob8' ,drum1 said ,bob4 ,yes1 drum1 repeated ,ruth4 ,you see1 ,uncle ,joe1 ,i know how to mix it4 ,you use only one part of cement1 ,ruth1 corrected her cousin1 and two of sand and four of gravel4 ,bob glanced up quickly at this clear statement of the facts1 and for the first time looked directly into the brown eyes of ,edith ,atwood4 ,,xiv ,,ruth ,,and ,,the ,,straw ,,stack ,the ,monday morning's mail brought them notice that the cement drain tile had arrived in town4 ,they found it cheaper to buy this from a firm that made a specialty of tile rather than try to make them1 and1 more important still1 a letter had been received by ,tony saying his wife would arrive on the ten o'clock train2 so it was decided that work should be suspended on the hen house for the morning and that ,tony and ,bob should take the car and drive in to meet the train1 while ,joe ,williams would take the team and bring out the tile and some new seed corn that he was getting for the spring planting--a new variety that ,john ,white had persuaded him to try4 ,at eight-thirty work on the hen house was suspended1 the car gotten out and cleaned1 ,bob changed his clothes1 and ,tony1 with as much of the dirt removed as possible--smiling and happy--got into the car and drove to the station4 ,they arrived just a few minutes before the train1 ,bob remaining in the car while ,tony went around the station to meet his wife1 as she alighted from the train4 ,illustration3 ,,every ,,boy ,,that ,,ran ,,away ,,from ,,the ,,farm ,,and ,,many ,,that ,,are ,,still ,,there ,,can ,,tell ,,of ,,the ,,days ,,wasted ,,on ,,repairs ,,to ,,wooden ,,fences ,,and ,,cleaning ,,out ,,fence ,,rows4 ,,you ,,will ,,always ,,find ,a ,,prosperous ,,farmer ,,behind ,a ,,neat ,,wire ,,fence ,,on ,,permanent ,,concrete ,,posts4 ,a few minutes later ,bob's ears were greeted by the sound of animated conversation in a foreign tongue1 not a word of which was intelligible to him1 but every word of which seemed to please the speakers4 ,a little later ,tony came around the corner of the station1 a huge suitcase under each arm1 followed by a rather good-looking woman of medium height1 and1 like ,tony1 a true type of sunny ,italy4 ,she was dressed much better than ,bob had expected to find her1 and when ,tony said1 ,this-a my wife1 ,mr4 ,bob1 he was surprised to hear her say in very good ,english3 ,i'm pleased to meet you1 ,mr4 ,williams1 letting her gaze fall as she greeted him4 ,as soon as ,bob had recovered from his surprise1 he jumped down from the seat1 opened the door of the tonneau and helped her into the car1 an act of courtesy which the smiling eyes of ,tony quickly acknowledged4 ,one of the suitcases was put on the empty front seat of the car and the other was placed on end between ,tony and his wife in the tonneau1 and then they started for the farm4 ,while ,tony and his wife carried on an animated conversation in ,italian1 ,bob was not without his own thoughts4 ,he was trying to figure out how ,tony1 who had difficulty in expressing his ideas in ,english1 should happen to have such a good-looking ,english-speaking ,italian wife4 ,he was not aware that many of the ,american-born ,italian boys and girls receive high school educations1 and1 of course1 he didn't know that ,tony1 who had been born in ,italy1 should have met in the house of a distant relative1 a young woman who had had these advantages1 and who should have found in the good-natured ,tony1 with his foreign manners1 the object of her love4 ,he was wondering1 too1 how she might like farm work and how his ,aunt ,bettie might like her4 ,he didn't have long to wait1 for now that the roads were getting dry and better1 he made the trip in less than twenty minutes and they were soon speeding up the new driveway to the house4 ,he jumped out of the car1 and taking one of the suitcases conducted ,tony and his wife to his aunt1 who had come out on the porch to greet them1 and he noticed that she was as much surprised as he had been when ,tony blushingly said3 ,this-a my wife1 ,mrs4 ,williams1 and she had replied3 ,i'm pleased to know you1 ,mrs4 ,williams1 extending her hand4 ,my name is ,maria ,martinelli1 she added4 ,tony has been telling me what a fine place you have here1 and how kind you've been to him4 ,i'm sure ,i'll be very happy working for you4 ,well1 we do like ,tony and ,i believe he likes us1 and ,i hope you'll like us also1 ,aunt ,bettie replied4 ,tony now started for his room1 the suitcases under his arms4 ,we haven't ,tony's room very well fixed up yet1 ,mrs4 ,williams continued1 as ,tony's wife followed him up the stairs1 but you and ,i can take care of that in the next few days4 ,bob felt sure that his ,aunt ,bettie had already established pleasant relations with her new assistant1 and whistled merrily as he changed into his working clothes4 ,when he returned to the hen house he was surprised to see some one in a brand new suit of funny-looking overalls sitting on the gravel pile waiting for him4 ,as he came near1 the stranger arose and looked toward him1 but it was not until he got within a few feet that he recognized in the figure before him ,ruth ,thomas4 ,aunt ,bettie said she'd let me help you with the concrete1 ,bob1 so ,i put on these4 ,how do you like my farmerette clothes8 she1 asked smiling4 ,well1 you surprised me1 all right1 laughed ,bob1 as1 for the first time in his life1 he saw a girl dressed in man's clothes4 ,what do you do first1 ,bob8 she asked1 going over to the mixer and pulling on the levers2 put in the water or the cement8 ,neither1 said ,bob1 still trying to decide whether he approved of her manner of dress or not4 ,we've all the concrete mixed that we need until we finish setting up the forms at the south end4 ,give me a hammer then1 and ,i'll help drive the nails1 she said1 coming round to where ,bob was leveling up some of the forms4 ,all right1 drive a nail in there1 he said1 indicating the end of a brace that leaned against the forms4 ,ruth took the hammer and tapped the nail gently1 succeeding in starting it1 then she raised the hammer and struck hard4 ,the hammer descended squarely on the nail1 but not the nail in the brace1 but the nail on her left thumb4 ,with a cry of pain she dropped the hammer and tried hard to keep back the tears4 ,you'll have--to--excuse--me1 ,bob1 until--,i go--to the house and tie this up1 she said1 hesitatingly1 but as soon as ,aunt ,bettie puts something on it1 ,i'll be back1 and as she disappeared ,bob heard her choking back her sobs4 ,his sympathy struggled for a few moments with his humor1 but the latter got the better of him1 and as soon as ,ruth got well out of hearing1 he couldn't refrain any longer from laughing at the funny figure she cut in her new clothes and the abrupt ending to her ambition to help build the hen house4 ,he found that he couldn't get along very well with the forms by himself1 so he decided to knock off until after dinner4 ,he was crossing over to the barn1 where he met ,ruth still dressed in her overalls1 her thumb tied up1 coming into the barnyard with her cousin ,edith4 ,we thought we'd like to look over the barn until my thumb quits hurting1 called ,ruth4 ,all right1 said ,bob1 and he conducted them into the thrashing floor where he explained how a barn was built and where the hay was kept and how they fed the different horses and cattle from the thrashing floor4 ,most of the mows were now almost empty and the barn had the appearance of great size4 ,i'm going to climb up into the hay mow1 said ,ruth1 as she started for the ladder4 ,why do you want to go up there1 ,ruth8 asked ,edith4 ,oh1 ,i want to see what the place looks like1 replied ,ruth1 as she nimbly climbed the ladder and stepped off into the mow4 ,come on up1 it's fine up here1 she called4 ,bob quickly followed her and a moment later ,edith joined them4 ,pausing there for a few minutes1 they climbed over into another mow and looked out through a window on the side of the barn4 ,why1 we can get on the roof from here1 said ,ruth4 ,yes1 said ,bob1 we can4 ,let's go out then1 she said4 ,but you might slide off1 warned ,bob4 ,no danger of that1 replied ,ruth2 we've got our sneakers on4 ,so he crawled through the window and standing on the roof first helped ,ruth and then ,edith through4 ,it isn't as steep as it looks from the ground1 and ,i'm going on up to the top1 said ,ruth4 ,bob helped ,edith up and they sat on the ridge for several minutes looking out over the farm1 ,bob pointing out to them the places of interest1 and telling them the story of how the new dam and ditch came to be built4 ,as they sat there1 they noticed their uncle coming up the lane and that he had already reached the foot of the hill4 ,why1 there comes ,uncle ,joe1 shouted ,ruth1 as she started running down the side of the barn toward him1 on which side a lean-to was built1 and beyond which stood last year's straw stack1 the top about even with the roof of the lean-to4 ,come on1 ,edith1 ,i'm going to jump off the roof on to the straw stack1 she shouted1 and before ,bob could stop her she had jumped and landed on the stack4 ,it didn't seem so difficult1 ,bob1 said ,edith1 and she also started running down the side4 ,i guess ,i can make it1 too1 she called1 and leaped on to the stack1 where ,bob joined them a moment later4 ,the three stood waving their hands and shouting to their uncle4 ,suddenly ,ruth exclaimed3 ,i'm going to slide down the side of the stack1 and moved over to the side nearest to her uncle1 who1 seeing her intention1 stood up in the wagon and shook the whip at her1 warning her not to do so4 ,ruth only took his warning as a dare1 and throwing her arms high over her head with a loud shout started to slide down the side of the stack4 ,now the stack had furnished feed for the cattle all winter and they had eaten under the edges1 so that it was like a huge toadstool4 ,from his position in the lane1 her uncle saw what ,ruth could not see from the top--that there were cattle under the edge4 ,as ,ruth came noisily down the side her shouting caused a cow standing under the edge of the stack to come running out4 ,the two met just at the edge of the stack1 ,ruth landing squarely on the cow's back1 her back to her head4 ,with a snort and a plunge1 the cow started to race across the barnyard1 and it was hard to tell which was the more surprised--,ruth or the cow4 ,in her eagerness to get rid of her unexpected burden1 the cow threw her hindquarters from side to side1 as she ran--a motion that seemed to be exactly timed with ,ruth's endeavor to fall off on that particular side1 as each sudden change threw her into a vertical position again4 ,so with her hands on the cow's back and rolling from side to side she managed to maintain her seat1 until the cow1 seeing she was unable to get rid of her burden1 ran for a black walnut tree1 which stood near the old pump4 ,she ran close against this tree and ,ruth came shooting from the cow's back1 much like a big frog jumping into a pond1 landing unhurt on all fours on the soft litter of the barnyard4 ,edith and ,bob were still standing on top of the straw stack rocking with laughter at the ridiculous figure cut by ,ruth1 while their uncle stopped the team and hurried up the bank as fast as he could go4 ,he was the first to get to ,ruth as she picked herself up and began brushing off the dust4 ,then ,bob slid over the side of the stack to make sure there were no more cattle in the way1 and a few minutes later was joined by ,edith4 ,they hurried forward together to where ,ruth was standing and found1 with the exception of a bruise on her chin and a rent in one sleeve1 where it had rubbed along the ground1 she was unhurt and laughing as merrily as the rest4 ,say1 ,ruth1 said her uncle1 seeing she was uninjured1 next time you want to ride one of the cows1 let me know and ,i'll get you a saddle1 or maybe you'd rather try one of the horses4 ,oh1 ,i didn't get hurt a bit1 ,uncle ,joe1 she laughed1 and it really was lots of fun4 ,,xv ,,new ,,methods ,the next week was a busy one on ,brookside ,farm4 ,all were deeply engaged with their several occupations4 ,saturday brought the first interruption to the work when ,john ,white1 the banker1 paid them a visit4 ,he appeared in his large touring car1 instead of his usual runabout4 ,mrs4 ,white1 their daughter1 a girl of fourteen1 whom ,bob had seen in the bank talking to her father2 and two young boys1 about ,bob's own age1 and whom ,bob did not know1 were with him4 ,they arrived shortly after three o'clock in the afternoon4 ,bob and ,tony were setting up the pre-cast concrete sections1 forming the walls and partitions of the hen house4 ,the party alighted1 and1 led by ,mr4 ,white1 came over to the hen house to inspect the work4 ,this was the banker's custom on his visits to ,brookside ,farm4 ,hello1 ,bob6 he called4 ,come over and meet ,mrs4 ,white1 and ,bob stepped forward and was introduced4 ,this is my daughter ,alice1 and this is my sister's son1 ,edward ,brown1 and his friend1 ,herbert ,potter--and this is ,bob ,williams1 the boy ,i've been telling you about4 ,again ,bob extended his hand in greeting1 but it was accepted rather indifferently1 he thought1 by the other two boys1 which did not aid in establishing friendly relations4 ,in fact1 ,bob felt that they rather held themselves above him4 ,mrs4 ,white was a large motherly woman4 ,she had light hair and blue eyes and had not talked long before ,bob discovered that she had a deep interest in her husband's business1 for the questions she asked were such that he knew the banker must have been explaining to her about the work being done on ,brookside ,farm4 ,the banker now left them to go around the other side of the building to speak to ,tony1 while ,bob explained to ,mrs4 ,white and the boys how they made the pre-cast slabs and set them in place on the wall and braced them1 to hold them in line1 until the concrete studs were cast to form the permanent supports for the roof4 ,you know1 ,bob1 said ,mrs4 ,white1 this is the most interesting thing ,i've ever seen in my life4 ,just think of being able to dig your buildings out of the side of the hill4 ,i think it's all perfectly wonderful the way you're making use of your ',hidden ,treasure1' as ,mr4 ,white tells me you call the undeveloped resources of your farm4 ,bob now got his drawing and explained to her the manner in which the hen house was planned to get the southern exposure2 also the arrangements for feeding the chickens1 gathering the eggs1 the system of ventilation adopted which would prevent draughts and keep the hen house well ventilated in both winter and summer4 ,also the feed and incubator house and how each could be extended from time to time by simply building on to the ends4 ,mrs4 ,white asked a great many questions and ,bob felt sure she was not talking just to be polite1 but was really interested in the work they were doing4 ,it gave him much pleasure to know that the time he had spent in reading up on farm work was producing results4 ,bob's ,aunt ,bettie and the two girls now came out to greet their guests4 ,introductions followed1 and a few minutes later the party adjourned to the house1 all except ,bob1 ,tony and the banker4 ,no amount of urging on the part of ,bob's aunt could persuade the banker to leave the hen house1 the construction of which interested him so much4 ,i like your idea1 ,bob1 he said1 in making your buildings of pre- cast standardized sections4 ,i can see where this type of construction would have great advantages in the winter1 and1 at odd times1 when a farmer isn't busy he can make up some sections and let them harden1 and1 whenever he gets enough for a building1 he can put them together quickly4 ,where did you get the idea for this kind of work8 ,well1 partly from the bulletins and partly from ,tony1 and the rest ,i just thought out myself4 ,you see1 ,mr4 ,white1 the bulletins say a wall of a building is always dryer1 warmer in winter and cooler in summer1 if it's hollow1 and besides it only takes about half the material4 ,then1 you see1 there's an advantage when you want to put in ventilation to use the hollow wall for that purpose4 ,while ,tony and ,i have been working on the hen house1 ,i've been turning over in my mind the design for the cow barn4 ,these hollow walls are going to be of great service for ventilating that building8 ,can you construct your cow barn with the same size units that you made for the hen house8 ,yes1 ,mr4 ,white1 we figured that all out before we started our dairy building1 and we expect to use the same construction on all our buildings1 even on the silo4 ,of course1 in that case1 we'll have to make the sections curved1 but ,tony says that won't be a difficult thing to do4 ,you know1 ,mr4 ,white1 ,tony understands drawings1 and has been able to give me some good suggestions--particularly on how to handle and make forms4 ,he says he started to learn the carpenter trade when he was only ten years old1 and he can file a saw or sharpen a plane so they'll cut fine4 ,well1 ,i'm very much interested1 ,bob1 in the way you're getting along with this work4 ,as soon as you get this building up to the roof1 ,i'm going to ask your ,uncle ,joe to let me give a party at ,brookside ,farm some ,saturday1 and have all the farmers around this section come and see what you're doing4 ,we'll probably have to wait until they get their plowing done and their corn in4 ,you know1 he added1 they didn't have a tractor to do their work for them like you did1 but ,i've a notion that ,i've made some of them jealous1 and there'll be a number of tractors running in the county next spring1 if ,i don't miss my guess4 ,how'd you like to have a little help1 ,bob1 when you go to put up the cow barn8 ,what do you mean1 ,mr4 ,white8 ,well1 ,i've been thinking for some time that the way to get the other farmers around here interested in concrete work and get them buying sand from your pit1 ,bob1 would be to have them send some of their boys over here to learn how cement work is done1 for while anyone can easily learn how to use cement1 still it must be understood to use it correctly4 ,of course1 they'll have a good deal of work to do1 but after planting their oats and corn1 they might be able to take a few days off and come to help you4 ,we won't be ready to start the cow barn that soon1 said ,bob4 ,but couldn't they be making up these pre-cast sections1 as you call them1 or dig out for the foundations and put in the concrete footings4 ,oh1 yes1 we could do that1 but ,aunt ,bettie and ,i haven't decided definitely on our plans yet4 ,couldn't you hurry them up a little so we could get the cow barn under way8 ,it seems to me if we could get the farmers' sons here to ,brookside1 and get them interested in concrete buildings1 they could then show their fathers how the work is done1 for1 he added laughing1 it's easier to teach a young dog a new trick than an old one4 ,besides1 ,bob1 don't lose sight of the fact that it will be profitable for you4 ,how's that8 asked ,bob4 ,you agree to pay them for their labor in sand and gravel1 and once you get them using concrete1 they'll come back for more4 ,since you were in to see me last1 ,i've been thinking the matter over and ,i believe you can manage it so you can get what help you need in this way1 except1 perhaps1 one or two carpenters when you come to the heavy work of the cow barn4 ,it will be to their advantage to learn how to do the work4 ,i was talking to the two boys we brought out with us to-day to see if ,i couldn't get them to help you1 but they said they didn't want to be mussing around with farm work4 ,i told ,edward1 my nephew1 that he didn't understand enough about farms to know what was good for him1 or he'd be glad to help you4 ,well1 ,i must go and see your ,uncle ,joe4 ,think over what ,i've been telling you about having the farmers' boys help you and ,i'll think it over too and see how it can be managed4 ,of course1 you wouldn't want them all here at one time4 ,i think if they came two or three at a time1 it would be better4 ,we could work out a schedule of dates1 and know when each boy would come so there would be no break in the working force4 ,you'd better see if you'll have tools and forms enough to keep them all working1 ,bob1 and if you don't1 your ,uncle ,joe ought to get you a few more4 ,left to himself1 ,bob began to turn over in his mind the possibilities and advantages of having more assistance1 and getting the cow barn started earlier than he had anticipated4 ,now that it would only require a little more than another week to complete the hen house1 he decided that with double the number of forms they were now using1 and keeping ,duncan ,wallace casting sections1 instead of fence posts1 as they had originally planned1 they could probably get enough made for a good start on the cow barn by the time the excavations and footings were in place4 ,at four-thirty ,bob quit work as usual and went to the house and cleaned up to do his milking4 ,just as he was finishing his last cow1 his ,aunt ,bettie and the girls1 accompanied by their visitors1 came into the yard to see him milk4 ,bob explained that as soon as the new cow barn was finished1 the milking would no longer be done in the barnyard1 but in the barn1 and instead of milking by hand1 they would install automatic milking machines4 ,he could then take care of twenty cows easier than he could now take care of ten milked by hand4 ,how do you like the new ,holsteins8 asked the banker1 as he watched ,bob finish off the last cow4 ,they're fine1 ,mr4 ,white4 ,this one's name is ,spot4 ,she's my favorite2 she's a three-year-old and gives twenty quarts of milk each day4 ,that's better than any of the others1 although two of them come pretty close to her4 ,when we get the new barn and can1 regulate their feeding1 they'll all do much better4 ,why1 do you know how much milk each cow gives8 inquired ,mrs4 ,white1 surprised4 ,certainly1 said ,bob1 we not only know1 but we set down every day how much we get1 so we can keep a record4 ,if you'll come down to the dairy house1 ,i'll show you how it's done4 ,of course1 we don't measure each cow's milk separately every day1 or weigh their cream every day1 but every time ,i milk1 ,i keep the milk of one cow in a separate pail1 so it may be weighed4 ,for instance1 ,i'm taking note of ,spot's yield to-day4 ,this is very interesting1 ,bob1 said ,mrs4 ,white4 ,i didn't think you went into farming so scientifically4 ,they don't on some farms1 replied ,bob1 but ,aunt ,bettie and ,i keep books here on ,brookside ,farm4 ,we want to find out what pays the best4 ,that's right1 said the banker1 working and figuring go hand in hand1 and if you keep that up ,brookside ,farm will soon be paying a good profit4 ,will you let me see your books after supper1 ,bob8 he asked4 ,your ,aunt ,bettie has invited us all to stay and have supper with you4 ,yes1 said ,bob4 ,i'll be glad to4 ,did that one cow give that much milk8 asked the banker's wife in astonishment1 as she saw the huge pail ,bob had gotten from ,spot4 ,yes1 said ,bob proudly4 ,why1 ,i had no idea one cow could give so much milk1 she replied4 ,illustration3 ,,extra ,,profits ,,are ,,not ,,the ,,only ,,things ,a ,,farmer ,,gets ,,from ,a ,,herd ,,of ,,well-,,bred ,,dairy ,,cows4 ,,there ,,is ,a ,,satisfaction ,,in ,,having ,,spent ,,his ,,time ,,caring ,,for ,,animals ,,that ,,are ,,worth ,,while ,that's why1 said ,bob1 it doesn't pay to keep common cows4 ,they eat as much as a purebred and don't give nearly as much milk4 ,besides1 their milk isn't as rich as ,holsteins4 ,if you come along to the dairy house1 ,i'll show you how we separate the milk and get the cream4 ,may ,i carry one of the pails1 ,bob8 asked ,ruth4 ,you'll have to be careful1 ,ruth1 if you carry it1 admonished her aunt4 ,if you and ,edith don't go racing1 you may carry it between you1 she continued1 as the two girls picked up one of the largest pails and started off for the dairy house4 ,when they arrived1 ,bob weighed the milk given by ,spot and made a note of it in his record book1 setting down the date and name of the cow2 then he weighed the balance of the milk1 and under the heading of ,herd of ,ten ,cows1 he set down the total amount given by all4 ,you see1 said ,bob1 in this way we have an individual record of milk taken every ten days from each cow1 and a daily record of the ten taken together4 ,it doesn't make so much bookkeeping and is close enough for all practical purposes4 ,when we get our electric lights in1 ,mrs4 ,white1 he continued1 as he started the separator1 we're going to put an electric motor on the separator4 ,then ,i can be doing something else while the milk's going through4 ,listen to that1 ,ida1 said the banker1 addressing his wife4 ,everything on ,brookside is going to be run by power and every person on the farm will be multiplied by two or five before ,bob and his ,aunt ,bettie get through1 and besides it won't be such hard work4 ,no1 laughed ,bob1 when the power does the work1 you don't notice it so much4 ,that's so1 said the banker's wife2 you must be tired1 ,bob1 at the end of a day1 with all the activities you have around here4 ,oh1 one gets used to it1 ,mrs4 ,white4 ,i've gained ten pounds since ,i came here4 ,he put the cream he had gotten in a cream can and placed it in the trough4 ,he opened the icehouse door and put some more ice around the cans4 ,how'd you happen to get the old ice in the new dairy1 ,bob8 asked the banker4 ,well1 we figured if we left it in the old icehouse1 over half of it would melt during the summer and we wouldn't lose anything like that much by transferring it1 so we put it on the wagon and hauled it over4 ,of course1 when this ice was cut1 the cakes were made all kinds of sizes1 which gave us some trouble in piling it up4 ,next year we're going to cut the ice in twenty-two by twenty-two-inch sizes4 ,i don't know whether ,i told you or not1 ,mr4 ,white1 but the floor of the icehouse slopes toward the center1 so each cake helps to support the other as we take them out4 ,just listen to that1 ,ida4 ,see how ,bob has figured out all these things4 ,who would have thought of that8 ,i didn't1 confessed ,bob4 ,that was in one of the farm bulletins on icehouse construction4 ,somebody else worked it out1 but you used the idea1 said the banker4 ,often a man who can utilize another's idea can develop it to greater profit than the one who first created it4 ,it's my opinion1 ,bob1 that it's the little things in life that are carefully managed that make a success of the big things4 ,what do you do with your skim milk1 ,bob8 asked ,mrs4 ,white4 ,we feed that to the calves1 and what's left over to the pigs1 and some of it occasionally to the chickens4 ,do you make butter1 ,bob8 asked ,mr4 ,white4 ,we used to1 said ,bob1 but now we sell all our cream to the creamery and buy our butter4 ,what1 buy your own butter8 ,yes1 ,aunt ,bettie says it pays better to buy butter from those who make it in a big way than try to make it ourselves4 ,we get the butter when we deliver the cream and in that way we don't have the extra work to do4 ,of course1 we could make our own butter1 and would do so if there was no creamery1 but the money that goes for a pound of butter is less than we get for a pound of butter fat1 and we save the time ,aunt ,betty would have to devote to it4 ,bob now opened the refrigerator and showed them how they kept their eggs1 butter and fresh meat4 ,my1 what a nice-looking lot of things to eat1 said ,mrs4 ,white admiringly1 as she looked into the white-enameled refrigerator4 ,see the crates of nice white eggs and freshly-killed poultry4 ,of course1 we aren't killing much poultry now1 said ,bob4 ,we won't get started on that until the hen house is finished1 but we're killing off a lot of the common chickens to get rid of them4 ,they're bringing thirty cents per pound now4 ,we'll wait supper till you get your shower and change your clothes1 ,bob1 whispered his aunt1 as the party came to the house and ,bob disappeared4 ,the favorable comments made by the banker and his wife on his work raised his thoughts above the level of mere clothes4 ,he cared not that his ready-made suit compared rather poorly with the tailor- made clothes of their boy visitors4 ,he decided that as he was going to be a farmer1 he would wear the kind of clothes that belonged to farmers1 and wouldn't try to ape others in the matter of dress4 ,after supper was over1 ,bob and his uncle1 with the banker1 adjourned to the sitting room1 where they spent a half hour in going over their system of cost-keeping4 ,this is a fine system1 ,joe1 said the banker4 ,i'm glad to know you're taking such an intelligent interest in your farm4 ,well1 it was pretty hard1 ,john1 for me at first to understand keeping accounts and all that1 but ,bettie and ,bob were so insistent that ,i finally made up my mind that ,i was going to learn what it was all about4 ,i think now ,i've a pretty fair idea how to tell whether a thing's paying or not2 besides1 since we got it started it don't take over five minutes a day4 ,before the summer is over1 we'll have our work pretty well systematized4 ,i'm beginning already to find out that a lot of things we've been doing on this farm all our lives have been unprofitable and also that many things we've neglected entirely can be made to pay a good profit4 ,nothing like figures1 ,joe1 to tell you where you're at1 laughed the banker4 ,next thing for us to do1 ,joe1 is to see that we get our farmers all awake and in line for a new concrete road to town4 ,we must build that road this summer4 ,i want you to be able to haul your produce easily4 ,when ,bob returned to the porch1 he found that the boys and girls had gone for a walk1 from which they did not return until the banker and his wife were ready to leave4 ,it did not add to his pleasure to see the easy manner in which they walked along1 arm in arm1 on their return to the house1 or the rather overlong hand-shaking when they finally parted4 ,he decided he didn't like those boys--especially ,eddie ,brown4 ,,xvi ,,ruth ,,and ,,jerry ,i'm goin' to start planting the corn this morning1 ,bob1 said his uncle at breakfast on ,monday morning4 ,i ought to get the ten-acre field finished by ,wednesday evening4 ,as soon as that is planted1 ,i guess ,i had better take the tractor and haul out some more cement4 ,john ,white and ,i made arrangements on ,saturday1 when he was here1 to go ahead with the rest of the buildings4 ,there'll be a considerable amount of cement required for these1 and ,i don't want to stop planting corn to bring it out1 and after that you know we'll be pretty busy4 ,i wish you would figure up how many barrels of cement it will take approximately for each of the buildings1 ,bob2 also the rolls of galvanized wire and steel bars for reinforcing so that ,i can get these ordered at the same time4 ,you'll want some window frames and ventilators1 gratings and other things for the cow barn1 too4 ,i think you'd better make some sketches and a list of just what you want4 ,then we can get bids1 and see where we can buy the cheapest4 ,you'd better get some catalogs1 too1 ,bob1 on cow stable fittings1 such as stanchions1 sanitary water bowls and manure carriers4 ,of course1 we'll want to build the silo1 too1 at the same time1 and you better make a list of the materials required for that4 ,you and your ,aunt ,bettie can talk over the details and arrange the matter between you4 ,illustration3 ,,good ,,seed ,,well ,,planted ,,lays ,,the ,,foundation ,,for ,a ,,profitable ,,crop ,all right1 ,uncle ,joe2 we'll take care of it1 said ,bob1 and have the list ready for you in a few days4 ,of course1 we don't want to knock off during working hours to make up this list1 unless we have to1 but when it comes to putting on the roof of the hen house1 ,tony can carry on the work by himself1 if necessary1 while ,i complete the drawings of the cow barn and silo and figure out the quantities4 ,don't forget that ,i'm here1 said ,ruth1 and ,i'm going to help build the rest of the buildings1 even though ,i did hurt my thumb the first time ,i tried4 ,i've been practicing out in the woodshed and ,i can hit a nail on the head nearly every time now4 ,at the mention of her nail-driving ability1 ,bob could not refrain from smiling4 ,it was probably nine-thirty that morning when ,bob1 busy at work on the hen house1 looked up and saw ,ruth dressed in her farmerette clothes1 talking with their uncle at the far side of the field where he was planting oats4 ,it was fully an hour later when he looked up again and saw ,edith standing near him4 ,at first glance she seemed abashed1 but he noticed that the corners of her mouth were tucked up in a roguish laugh4 ,anything happened1 ,edith8 he asked4 ,not yet1 ,bob1 but1 she replied laughing1 there'll be something happen to ,ruth in a few minutes1 if you don't come and rescue her4 ,why1 where is she8 ,come1 and ,i'll show you1 said ,edith1 and ,bob turned the concrete mixer over to ,tony and they went over to the old orchard1 back of the smokehouse4 ,in almost the exact center of this three-acre plot1 a tree had decayed and fallen several years before1 and a young apple tree had been planted to take its place4 ,this tree was now about five inches in diameter1 and forked about five to six feet from the ground4 ,in the crotch of this small tree1 a foot dangling on either side1 sat ,ruth1 balancing herself as best she could while ,jerry1 the new ,southdown buck1 was prancing back and forth1 jumping alternately at one foot1 then at the other1 as she let them hang down within his reach4 ,how did she get up there8 asked ,bob1 as he took in the situation4 ,i don't know1 said ,edith1 but she must have been up there a long time1 because ,i've been hearing her shouting for at least a half hour1 but ,i thought she was with you and ,tony working on the hen house4 ,oh1 ,bob1 come over here and drive ,jerry away1 cried ,ruth1 hearing them4 ,i've been sitting in this apple tree holding up my feet until they're ready to drop off4 ,how did you happen to get up there1 ,ruth8 called ,edith laughing1 while she and ,bob stood outside the fence enjoying the situation and watching ,jerry jump time and again for a dangling foot4 ,i went up to see ,uncle ,joe--say1 aren't you going to help me1 ,bob8-- and was taking a short cut through the orchard and forgot all about ,jerry--confound that sheep1 drawing a foot up just in time--when ,i saw him ,i started to run1 and he ran after me4 ,this was the only tree small enough for me to climb1 so ,i got up here and ,jerry has been keeping guard ever since4 ,whenever ,i let a foot dangle down he strikes at it4 ,come on1 and drive him away1 ,bob4 ,i'm so tired ,i can scarcely keep from falling4 ,all right1 laughed ,bob1 ,i'll get him away1 and vaulting the fence he ran over to where ,jerry was standing1 took him by the wool on the back of his neck and held him with one hand4 ,now1 slide down1 ,ruth--he won't hurt you4 ,all he wanted was someone to pet him4 ,i tell you he's cross1 ,bob4 ,he would have butted me if ,i hadn't got up into the tree4 ,he was only trying to play with you1 ,ruth4 ,now1 come down and ,i'll prove you're wrong4 ,but no sooner had ,ruth placed her cramped feet on the ground than ,jerry broke loose1 and with head down1 went charging after her1 as1 letting out a scream1 she dashed for the house as fast2 as she could go4 ,the gate1 opening into the yard by the smokehouse1 was too far away1 so she changed her course and headed for the fence between the orchard and hen house1 near the spot where ,edith was standing4 ,she had placed her right foot on the second board of the fence just ready to jump1 when ,jerry arrived just in time to take advantage of the opportunity presented4 ,with one strong butt he hoisted her clear of the fence1 landing her on all fours on the soft1 plowed ground on the other side4 ,she jumped up quickly1 spitting out a mouthful of the soft earth she had scooped up4 ,bob and ,edith were doubled up with laughter4 ,oh1 you two probably think it's very funny1 snapped ,ruth1 sitting up in an apple tree for a half hour1 with ,jerry trying to knock your feet off every time you let them hang down1 to say nothing of his butting me over the fence4 ,well1 laugh if you want to1 but it's not so funny if you're ,,it4 ,perhaps you'd better come into the house1 ,ruth1 and get rested1 suggested ,edith1 or maybe you'd like to help ,aunt ,bettie plant the garden4 ,you help her yourself1 if you want to2 ,i'm going to help ,bob and ,tony build the hen house1 she declared suddenly4 ,i was coming over to help you1 ,bob1 when ,jerry treed me in the orchard1 and if it hadn't been for him1 ,i would have been there an hour ago4 ,all right1 laughed ,bob2 ,i'll be glad to have you help me now1 ,ruth1 and he helped brush the dirt from her clothes4 ,edith caught a merry twinkle in his eye1 as they left her to go back to the concrete mixer4 ,what can ,i do to help1 ,bob8 asked ,ruth1 when they arrived at the work4 ,i think ,i'll let you be the engineer1 ,ruth1 and run the mixer4 ,that's an important job1 he added1 winking at ,tony4 ,he instructed her how to start and stop the engine1 and which levers to use in filling and emptying the drum4 ,she was still busy with the mixer when the dinner bell rang4 ,i'd like to get a turtle1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,ruth at dinner4 ,how can ,i catch one8 ,get ,bob to shoot a ground squirrel for you and bait a couple of hooks2 then set some lines in the new pond4 ,perhaps you can catch one that way4 ,is that what you bait turtle hooks with8 asked ,ruth4 ,ground squirrels make the best kind of bait1 said her uncle4 ,if there are turtles in the pond1 you'll get one of them with that4 ,let me shoot the squirrel myself1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,ruth4 ,i won't have time to go hunting squirrels this afternoon1 but perhaps you and ,bob might be able to find one on the fence down back of the barn4 ,you can take my shotgun1 ,ruth1 but be careful that you don't shoot yourself instead of the squirrel4 ,oh1 ,i know how to shoot1 ,uncle ,joe2 don't worry1 she declared4 ,let's go as soon as we get our dinner1 ,bob1 she said enthusiastically4 ,when they had finished1 ,bob got two turtle lines and hooks from the woodshed and the double-barrel gun and four shells4 ,they went down along the fence back of the barn toward the pond4 ,when they were almost at the foot of the hill1 near a chestnut tree1 they saw a ground squirrel sitting on the top of a fence post4 ,bob handed the gun to ,ruth and explained to her how to operate it1 and much to his surprise and admiration1 she quickly raised the gun to her shoulder and fired-the squirrel tumbling off the fence4 ,how did you happen to do that8 he asked1 lost in admiration1 for it was a neat shot4 ,throw your hat up in the air and ,i'll show you1 she said4 ,as he hesitated1 she asked4 ,you're not afraid ,i'll hit it1 are you1 ,bob8 ,no1 ,i'm not1 said ,bob1 and with that he threw his straw hat high into the air and it came down with a nick in the brim and two holes in the crown4 ,where did you learn to shoot1 ,ruth8 he demanded1 looking at his damaged hat4 ,oh1 ,i learned that long ago1 she replied1 pleased that at last she had won his genuine admiration4 ,i've two medals for shooting4 ,my brothers are both crack shots and they taught me4 ,i usually shoot with a rifle1 however4 ,that's fine shooting1 said ,bob4 ,i couldn't do nearly as well as that myself1 he admitted grudgingly4 ,now1 show me how to bait the hook1 she said1 picking up the squirrel4 ,bob took it and showed her how to prepare and put it on the hook4 ,they then went along the pond until they came to some small thorn bushes that grew on the bank4 ,bob showed her how to cast the bait by whirling it round and round and then let it fly out into the water4 ,she tried several times until she got the knack of doing it1 then threw in both lines and tied them fast to the thorn bushes4 ,how long'll ,i have to wait before ,i catch a turtle1 ,bob8 she asked1 as they started for the house4 ,maybe an hour and maybe not till to-morrow morning1 and maybe as long as a day or two--it just depends1 he replied4 ,about three o'clock in the afternoon1 he noticed that ,ruth1 who had gotten tired running the mixer1 had gone to the house4 ,a little later he saw her with ,edith passing through the barnyard in the direction of the pond4 ,it was perhaps a half hour later when he heard shouts in the direction of the pond and someone calling his name4 ,he dropped his tools and rushed across the plowed field1 when he saw ,edith hurrying toward him as fast as she could walk over the newly-plowed ground4 ,she was waving her hand to him1 motioning him to hurry4 ,what's happened to ,ruth now8 he asked breathlessly1 catching up to her4 ,it isn't ,ruth this time1 she replied4 ,it's ,duncan ,wallace4 ,why1 what's the matter with him8 he asked eagerly1 surprised that the staid old ,scotchman should have gotten into trouble4 ,well1 it was this way1 said ,edith1 between breaths1 as they started in the direction of the sand pit1 when ,ruth and ,i went down to the pond the first line we pulled out had a turtle on it1 and while ,i held it by the tail1 ,ruth took a forked stick and pried the hook out of its mouth2 then she thought it'd be good sport to take it down and show it to ,duncan ,wallace1 and when she got near she held it up by the tail and showed it to him4 ',what's that you have there ,mister--,miss--8' ',a turtle1 ,mr4 ,wallace1' said ,ruth1 laughing over the fact that he did not know whether she was a boy or a girl4 ',oh1 a turtle1 is it8 ,well1 let me see it4' ,then he took the turtle from her1 ,bob1 and laid it on the shovel he was using to screen sand4 ,he held the shovel so that the turtle's head was not very far from and on a level with his face4 ,then1 much to my disgust1 he began spitting tobacco juice in the turtle's eyes1 forcing it to draw its head into the shell4 ,it didn't seem to like it very much1 for all of a sudden it reached out its head and grabbed ,duncan ,wallace by the nose1 and1 oh1 ,bob1 you should have seen him dance and heard him swear2 he swore something terrible1 she said laughing heartily4 ,it was the funniest thing1 ,bob1 ,i ever saw in my life--neither ,ruth's ride on the cow the other day nor her experience with ,jerry this morning could compare with the way that old ,scotchman hopped around1 waving his shovel in one hand1 the turtle dangling from his nose1 and swearing like a pirate4 ,well1 how did you get the turtle off8 asked ,bob1 laughing in spite of his fears for the ,scotchman's safety4 ,we didn't get it off1 said ,edith2 that's why we got you here4 ,ruth tried to shake it off1 but his nose bled terribly4 ,he was sitting on a pile of sand holding on to the turtle when ,i left1 she replied4 ,when they reached the pit they found that the desperate ,scotchman1 in his struggling to free himself from the turtle1 had pulled a large piece out of the end of his nose4 ,ruth1 after first putting her turtle in a water barrel1 was doing her best to stop the flow of blood and comfort the still swearing ,scotchman1 whose feelings were becoming more aggravated each minute by ,ruth's uproarious laughter4 ,if a girl comes around here again dressed up in boy's clothes1 carrying a turtle1 ,i'll throw them both into the pond and drown them1 he declared savagely1 as he got up from the sand pile and started for his home4 ,when he had disappeared1 ,bob and the two girls sat down on the sand pile and laughed until they cried4 ,,xvii ,,filling ,,the ,,incubator ,shortly after the new stock had been delivered at ,brookside ,farm1 ,bob and his aunt put the new ,leghorn chickens in the old sheep shed back of the barn1 and the white ,plymouth ,rocks in a small pen near the cider mill1 so as to keep the two flocks apart4 ,they saved all the eggs from each flock and as fast as the common hens on the farm showed a disposition to set1 the eggs were supplied to them1 until the incubator house was finished4 ,the incubator was a modern machine of five hundred egg capacity4 ,after a conference1 they decided to send to two well-known poultry farms specializing in white ,leghorns and white ,plymouth ,rocks for additional settings of eggs1 in order to have new blood for the next year4 ,they got fifty eggs of each breed from the two breeders1 making two hundred eggs in all1 and took three hundred eggs from their own stock4 ,a careful record of the different eggs was made1 so they could keep the chicks separate after they were hatched4 ,before the eggs arrived1 the incubator was cleaned and tested4 ,won't you let me help you with the eggs1 ,bob8 asked ,edith1 as he was getting ready to place the eggs in the incubator4 ,i've been reading a lot in the bulletins about chickens1 and ,i would like to help you look after them4 ,i don't think it would be such a hard job1 ,edith1 he replied1 if you understand how to regulate the heat and keep the eggs turned4 ,of course1 it will be necessary to look after them carefully4 ,i already know how to regulate the temperature1 and turn and cool the eggs4 ,do you know how to test them8 asked ,bob1 to tell which eggs are fertile8 ,yes1 replied ,edith1 that's easily done4 ,you can use a candle and an old shoe box by removing one end and cutting a hole a little larger than the size of a quarter in the bottom of the box1 located so that when it sets over the kerosene lamp1 the hole in the bottom will be opposite the flame4 ,of course1 you'll have to cut another hole in the box1 so that the heat will escape1 and the eggs are tested with the large ends up4 ,this is done so the size of the air cell may be seen1 as well as the condition of the embryo4 ,how do you tell when an egg is fertile8 asked ,bob4 ,that's easy1 said ,edith4 ,the infertile eggs1 when held before the small hole when the lamp is lighted inside the box1 will look perfectly clear1 same as a fresh one1 while the fertile ones will show a small dark spot1 which is known as the embryo4 ,of course1 you have to learn to tell whether the embryo is living or dead1 but that's easy to learn4 ,i think ,i could take care of an incubator all right1 she continued4 ,the first thing you do is to see if it is running steadily at the desired temperature before filling it with eggs2 then you must fill the whole tray at one time and not add fresh eggs to a tray after it's once started4 ,the eggs must be turned twice daily after the second and until the nineteenth day4 ,the eggs must also be cooled once daily from the seventh to the nineteenth day1 depending on the weather4 ,do you fix the lamps first1 ,edith1 or turn the eggs8 asked ,bob4 ,oh1 you must turn the eggs before you fix the lamps1 she replied1 and1 of course1 the machine must be cared for at regular hours1 just the same as your dairy cows1 and the lamp and the wick must be kept clean at all times--otherwise you would not get a uniform heat4 ,when do you test the eggs8 asked ,bob4 ,on the seventh and fourteenth days2 after the eighteenth day you must not open the machine until the chicks are hatched4 ,if you'll look after the incubator for us1 ,edith1 it'll save me a lot of time--particularly now when we want to start work on the new cow barn4 ,will you let me run it all myself1 ,bob8 she asked1 her eyes sparkling in anticipation4 ,i don't see why you can't do it all yourself4 ,you understand it just as well as ,i do2 besides1 ,i've had no actual experience myself4 ,they carefully filled the incubator with the eggs1 making a record in a special book of the different breeds and the different breeders4 ,how are you going to mark them1 ,bob1 to tell them apart8 asked ,edith4 ,oh1 that's easy1 said ,bob4 ,you punch small holes between their toes and make a code of the marks1 so you can tell which is which4 ,you can make ever so many combinations4 ,doesn't that hurt them8 asked ,edith4 ,no1 not if it's done when they are very young--though the hole is a very small one1 it never closes up1 and you can always tell1 by referring to your code1 the age and breed of each chick4 ,later1 of course1 when they grow up1 we'll put numbered aluminum bands on their legs1 but when they're small the holes are better4 ,just think1 ,bob1 five hundred little chicks for me to look after4 ,won't it be perfectly splendid8 ,you won't get five hundred1 ,edith4 ,if we get sixty to seventy per cent1 hatched1 it will be as much as we can expect4 ,unless1 of course1 we have especially good luck and you might get as high as eighty or ninety per cent4 ,what will we do with the eggs that are not fertile8 she asked4 ,oh1 we'll boil those and feed them to the young chicks after they're hatched2 they make good chicken feed4 ,how many of the chicks do you suppose we can raise in the brooder8 ,if we hatch #cjj to #djj out of the #ejj eggs1 we'll be doing fine1 and if we can raise sixty per cent of the full hatch1 it's considered very good4 ,of course1 considerable will depend on the way they're fed and cared for1 but with good care1 you ought to average that many4 ,we'll have to raise these in one of the new pens we've just built for the laying hens1 because our brooder house will be one of the last buildings we'll put up1 and we may not get it ready until late fall4 ,when the chicks are large enough1 you can put them in colony houses out in the orchard4 ,i hope we can raise more than sixty per cent1 ,bob4 ,won't it be fine to have so many chicks8 ,when we get these hatched1 are we going to hatch more8 ,yes1 replied ,bob1 ,aunt ,bettie thinks we should hatch at least #ajjj to #aejj eggs in order to have a good pen of layers this fall4 ,of course1 you know half the chicks will be roosters1 and these we will dispose of4 ,the white ,plymouth ,rocks we can caponize and easily sell1 and the white ,leghorns we will either have to kill and sell as broilers1 or it may be we can sell them to the farmers around here to improve their flocks4 ,so you see1 if we have #ajjj chicks1 we can't count on over #ejj hens4 ,what would you do1 ,bob1 if you had #ajjj hens8 asked ,edith4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,well ,,managed ,,flock ,,of ,,poultry ,,will ,,return ,,good ,,profits ,,and ,,can ,,easily ,,be ,,cared ,,for ,,by ,,the ,,women ,,and ,,children ,don't you remember the hen house is made so it may be extended8 ,of course1 by the end of the summer1 when the chicks have grown up1 ,mr4 ,brady will have taken so much sand from the pit that ,uncle ,joe will be willing that we should go ahead and complete our buildings1 and one person can care for #ajjj hens almost as easy as #ejj4 ,a #ajjj hen flock is about the right size4 ,aunt ,bettie and ,i didn't exactly deceive ,uncle ,joe1 but we thought we'd educate him a little at a time4 ,i heard him tell ,aunt ,bettie the other day he was going to let her have all the money that they made from the dairy and poultry1 said ,edith4 ,well1 if he does1 said ,bob1 ,aunt ,bettie will make a lot of money-- almost as much as ,uncle ,joe1 outside of the sand pit4 ,how would that be1 ,bob8 ,because it is possible to make very big profits in these if they're properly looked after1 said ,bob2 but of course1 the chickens will have to pay rent for the houses1 based on their cost and use of the land they occupy--the same as cows do for their stable and pasture1 and all the labor and feed ,uncle ,joe supplies will be charged up against them4 ,i've been reading the story of a successful poultry and dairy farm in one of the bulletins4 ,they kept twenty cows1 the same as ,aunt ,bettie is planning to do1 and it stated that in addition to the milk1 cream and butter used by the family1 they sold almost #bdjj worth of butter1 and they got almost as much more from their poultry4 ,the bulletin didn't say1 of course1 how much it cost to produce it1 but with our system of cost-keeping where we charge up labor1 feed and rent and credit them for whatever they produce1 we'll be able to tell almost to a cent just what they earn4 ,won't you let me keep the cost-accounting system for the chickens1 ,bob8 asked ,edith4 ,i'm sure ,i'd like very much to look after them all myself4 ,i think that farming1 if done intelligently1 is the most interesting business that one can engage in4 ,they were standing on opposite sides of the incubator1 and ,edith was handing ,bob an egg as she made this remark4 ,bob's hand closed over the egg and fingers that encircled it4 ,he held it for a moment1 while he looked into her eyes2 then1 as she blushingly withdrew her hand1 he stammered3 ,i'm glad1 ,edith1 you like farming the same as ,i do4 ,well1 it is interesting1 ,bob1 and ,i do like it1 she said1 looking at him shyly4 ,what are you two doing in here with all those eggs8 asked ,ruth1 bursting suddenly in upon them4 ,one would think you were in church1 you're so quiet4 ,why1 we're going to raise chickens by machinery1 explained ,bob4 ,do you have a motor to run it8 she asked4 ,how do you make it go1 ,bob8 ,it must be terribly hot in here1 she added1 looking at them questioningly4 ,why8 asked her cousin1 without looking up from the tray of eggs she was filling4 ,why1 ,bob's so red in the face4 ,i never saw his face so red before1 except the time he ran down to the pond to take the turtle off ,duncan ,wallace's nose4 ,you must have the room warm where you keep the incubator1 said ,edith evasively4 ,let me put the eggs in1 ,edith1 said ,ruth1 ,i know how to do things like this1 as she began mixing the ,leghorns and ,plymouth ,rocks together4 ,oh1 don't do that1 ,ruth2 we must keep them all separate4 ,we write the names and dates on them and make all kinds of records1 so we'll know the chicks when they're hatched4 ,how can you tell from an old egg what kind of a chick you'll get4 ,how do you know you won't get black chickens out of white eggs4 ,maybe we will1 laughed ,bob4 ,anything is liable to happen on a farm where you get girls off apple trees and turtles off ,scotchmen's noses4 ,pretty near ready for dinner8 called her aunt1 looking in for a moment as they completed the work of filling the incubator4 ,we've just finished1 said ,edith4 ,bob said ,i might take care of the incubator and keep the record of the chicks1 if you were willing1 ,aunt ,bettie4 ,yes1 ,edith1 ,i'd be only too glad to have you do it1 replied her aunt4 ,thank you1 ,aunt ,bettie4 ,i like farming better every day1 and she gave ,bob a shy glance1 as he closed the door of the new incubator house4 ,,xviii ,,the ,,new ,,implements ,when ,joe ,williams purchased ,brookside ,farm from his father1 the equipment of farm implements which his father turned over to him was meager2 indeed1 the few that answered the name of implements were so old and had been so badly neglected1 by being exposed to all kinds of weather1 they were practically useless4 ,after a conference with ,john ,white1 the banker1 ,joe ,williams sent for ,mr4 ,patterson1 the representative of the ,farmers' ,harvester ,company4 ,the three spent a half day together going carefully over their full line of farm implements1 selecting from the list such new machines as they felt were best suited to their requirements4 ,a tractor1 disk and harrow had already been delivered to the farm1 and left there after the spring plowing1 but no arrangements for the purchase of them had yet been made4 ,after having seen the advantage of these implements1 and heard them favorably commented upon by his neighbors1 ,joe ,williams decided they must remain at ,brookside4 ,he now selected a new riding corn planter1 one not only capable of planting corn in rows1 but also in hills1 and as a companion to this machine1 he selected a horse-drawn cultivator4 ,after considerable discussion1 he decided to purchase a side delivery hay rake and a windrow loader1 chiefly on account of the speed with which hay could be gotten in with this combination4 ,he could then leave his hay out until it was just right and get it in quickly ahead of storms4 ,with these two machines1 he also bought the latest improved mowing machine4 ,then he picked out a substantial reaper and binder4 ,the erection of the new silo made it necessary to select machinery for filling it1 and a corn binder1 with a bundle elevator1 was finally selected on account of the saving in labor4 ,a blower type ensilage cutter with the necessary pipe for filling the silo and leather belt for driving it by the tractor1 were selected4 ,then a new grain drill with fertilizer and grass-seed attachments was added4 ,i guess that's about as many implements as ,i can afford to buy at one time1 remarked ,joe ,williams4 ,now1 look here1 ,joe1 said ,john ,white2 why do a thing half8 ,you know you'll be short a number of things if you stop here2 besides1 you've left out a lot of low-cost tools that you ought to have to make a complete equipment4 ,why1 what more do ,i need8 asked ,joe1 surprised at the banker's statement4 ,well1 for one thing1 you ought to have a first-class manure spreader2 it will do the work much quicker1 and save you many backaches--now that you've decided to fertilize heavily4 ,then you should have a good power-driven corn sheller and a small mill for grinding corn meal and buckwheat flour4 ,you also ought to have a one and a half horsepower kerosene engine1 mounted on a portable hand truck4 ,what would that be for8 asked ,joe ,williams1 looking up4 ,well1 you'll have a lot of places to use it--such as running the washing machine1 turning the grindstone1 corn sheller1 or the cream separator1 if the electric system breaks down1 and other small jobs around the farm1 where a portable engine will be very handy to save work and increase speed4 ,we'll have the engines on the tractor that we can use1 protested ,williams4 ,that's all right1 ,joe1 said the banker1 but it's too heavy for many of the light jobs1 and it would not pay to consume the amount of kerosene and oil necessary to operate it1 so ,i think you had better include the engine4 ,all right1 said ,joe4 ,let's have it then along with the others4 ,what about your electric lighting plant1 ,joe1 with the new buildings coming along8 ,you ought to look out for that4 ,bettie and ,bob have been looking up a lot of data on that subject and they've decided on putting in a water-driving unit4 ,it requires more wire to bring the power up from the dam1 but in the end will be cheaper as it costs nothing to operate4 ,how many electric lights do you want to use8 asked ,mr4 ,patterson4 ,we've figured that we ought to have about one hundred sixty-watt lamp capacity for the complete farm2 that would take care of the small motor of the vacuum cleaner and sewing machine4 ,we don't make the outfit1 ,mr4 ,williams1 said the agent1 but ,i'll arrange to get a good one for you and will not charge you any commission on it--taking such a large order as you are giving me1 ,i'll be very glad to arrange this for you4 ,well1 here's a catalog of the make they have picked out and if you'll take it up with the manufacturers1 ,i'll appreciate it1 said ,williams4 ,we'll want a detail drawing showing how to make a foundation for the wheel and generator4 ,bob's worked out an automatic starting and stopping device4 ,the wiring1 of course1 we'll do ourselves4 ,how about an auto truck1 ,joe2 don't you think you ought to have a good auto truck on the farm8 ,not with a team of horses and a good live tractor4 ,of course1 an auto truck would be an advantage in some respects1 and ,i'll probably want one next year1 but ,i think we can get along without that for the present4 ,speaking of making a complete outfit1 ,mr4 ,white1 ,bettie gave me a list of some other things she wanted4 ,what are they8 asked the banker4 ,well1 for one thing1 she thinks we ought to tear down the old cider mill because it's too slow to operate4 ,in former years1 when labor was cheap1 it answered very well1 but the modern machines are much quicker and better4 ,i think you ought to have that1 ,joe1 said the banker4 ,have you thought of a power saw for the wood lot and cutting up the rails of your old fences8 ,that's a ',hidden ,treasure' that you and ,bob have probably overlooked4 ,there's where you're wrong1 ,john1 laughed ,williams4 ,i've overlooked it entirely1 ,i'll confess1 but not ,bob4 ,he's figured out already how many cords of wood we'll get out of those old rails4 ,i tell you1 ,patterson1 said the banker smiling1 there's a boy who's going to make things pay4 ,i've plans for him myself that ,i'm not saying anything about4 ,i don't want to take him away from you1 ,joe1 but he's growing up and some day he's going to have a farm of his own4 ,if you get two years' work out of him at the rate he's going1 ,i don't think you'll have any complaint to make though4 ,by the way1 how about a power washing-machine and mangle for the laundry8 ,don't you think your wife will need those8 ,she was speaking about them the other day1 admitted ,joe4 ,i guess ,i'd better include them4 ,then1 of course1 we'll need some first-class scales4 ,bob has been after me ever since he's been here to get a new platform scale and a good steelyard1 for weighing bulky stuff1 and we ought to have a new scale for the dairy also4 ,those ought to be bought1 ,joe2 you can't get far on a farm without good scales1 remarked the banker4 ,now1 let's see what all this is going to cost4 ,what do you make it1 ,joe8 ,well1 ,i figure the items that ,patterson's company is going to furnish will come to #cjjj1 and the other items that we have decided to get will make a total of #ejjj4 ,this ought to give you a splendid outfit1 ,joe1 and make it possible for you to do the work of two or three men1 and with less fatigue to yourself4 ,get these tools here1 ,patterson1 as soon as you can1 said ,williams4 ,we want the corn planter and cultivator first and the others just as soon as possible4 ,i've a planter and cultivator in the ,pittsburgh warehouse now1 and can have them here in three or four days4 ,that'll be fine1 said ,williams1 as he signed the order for the implements4 ,what discount will there be for cash on an order of this size1 ,patterson8 he asked suddenly4 ,we'll allow you seven per cent for cash on delivery1 which is a little better than we ordinarily give1 but we'll throw off a little in your case for advertising1 ,joe4 ,we'll probably be troubling you some this summer sending your neighbors around to see the tools working4 ,that'll be all right1 said ,joe smiling4 ,let as many come as want to4 ,i think lots of them are getting jealous already1 for ,i keep mentioning to them whenever ,i see them how ,brookside is prospering4 ,well1 thanks for the order1 ,joe1 said ,patterson1 as he shook him by the hand4 ,i don't mind saying this is the most complete order ,i've ever taken for a single farm in your section of the country4 ,our company ought to be proud to know they're going to have a farm so fully equipped with their implements4 ,there's another thing ,i've had on my mind all day1 ,joe1 remarked the banker1 and that is what you're going to do when you get all these new tools and your neighbors come over and want to borrow them4 ,you can't be unneighborly and yet you can't supply the county with tools4 ,that's where ,i'm one ahead of you1 ,john1 laughed ,williams4 ,we figured that all out last night4 ,we decided that five years would be the average book life of all our new tools and implements1 which would mean a depreciation of twenty per cent each year4 ,now1 all we have to do is to divide twenty per cent1 of the cost by the number of acres on which we use the implement1 and we have the depreciation per acre4 ,we can work that all out and make a schedule of rates4 ,what we propose to do is to loan any tool we have1 when we don't need it ourselves1 at the established rate plus breakage and repairs4 ,ha6 ,ha6 ,joe1 that's a fine idea1 laughed the banker1 but ,i'll bet you the price of the power-driven ice-cream freezer you forgot to order1 it was not your own idea4 ,no1 it wasn't1 confessed ,williams4 ,well1 who's was it then8 eagerly asked the banker4 ,bob's1 said ,joe ,williams4 ,it sounds like ,king ,solomon1 ,joe1 said the banker1 for it's certainly the best solution of that troublesome problem ,i ever heard4 ,no one can rightfully refuse to pay for the actual use of a tool1 even though he can't afford to own one1 and five years ought to be a fair book value average4 ,so ,bob thought that out1 he chuckled4 ,joe1 ,i'm getting prouder of that red-head1 freckled face nephew of yours every time ,i see him1 and you don't want to forget when you come to settle with him that his ideas are worth something to you as well as his labor4 ,let's go out and see what he's doing on the new cow barn1 continued the banker1 and they walked over to the new building4 ,hello1 ,bob6 ,how are things moving this morning8 ,pretty good1 ,mr4 ,white4 ,this cow barn's going to be some building compared with the hen house4 ,tony and ,i staked it out and started the foundations4 ,where are those boys you were going to send me8 ,that's why ,i came out to see you to-day1 replied the banker4 ,there'll be six here to-morrow4 ,i couldn't get them two at a time1 so ,i thought you had better take them when you could get them4 ,each boy is to stay a week1 ,bob4 ,i don't think ,aunt ,bettie can take care of six boys at once1 if they all stay overnight4 ,only two will stay at night1 ,bob4 ,i told them the working hours would be from seven to six2 that will give them time to get home4 ,you had better arrange your work so you can take full advantage of their help4 ,we've plenty of work1 ,mr4 ,white4 ,i could use a dozen boys right now1 replied ,bob4 ,we ought to have the timbers for the roof brought out1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,couldn't you take the big tractor and the wagon and bring out a load this afternoon1 while you are waiting for the corn planter to come8 ,it wouldn't pay to run the tractor for just one wagon1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 when it can haul two wagons at once4 ,there's something we forgot1 said the banker2 you should have a good substantial truck around this place1 one that will haul a real load1 and ,i know where you can get a good one at about half price4 ,henry ,smith1 the man from whom you bought the auto1 ,joe1 took it in trade for a motor truck recently4 ,call him up on the 'phone and tell him you want it--tell him you would like to have him put in a short tongue for a motor hitch4 ,the truck has been used for hauling lumber and is just right for your work4 ,as they were speaking1 they saw ,edith rushing across the barnyard waving her hat and shouting4 ,she was more excited than ,bob had ever seen her and had evidently been running for quite a distance1 for she was so out of breath she could scarcely make herself understood4 ,as she neared them1 she exclaimed3 ,the bees1 ,bob--they're swarming6 ,there1 ,bob1 now you've a real job on your hands1 laughed the banker4 ,if ,i weren't so afraid of them myself1 ,i'd like to see you put them into the hive4 ,well1 ,i've never done it before1 ,mr4 ,white1 he replied1 but ,i think ,i can manage it4 ,perhaps you better take ,tony along to help you1 suggested his uncle4 ,no1 ,i'll take care of them myself1 ,uncle ,joe1 he replied1 and started for the house to get his veil and smoker4 ,when he arrived at the apiary1 much to his surprise1 not one but three of the colonies had swarmed4 ,one had left the hive and alighted on an apple tree nearby1 the second was just getting ready to leave1 and the third was hanging outside in a way that showed they would soon be on the wing4 ,bob was so intent on his work that he was not aware that anyone was near him1 until he heard a voice say3 ,won't you let me help you1 ,bob2 ,i'm not afraid of being stung4 ,he looked up quickly1 and there was ,edith--her head concealed in a quickly constructed veil4 ,she was wearing a white cotton blouse and she also had on a pair of kid gloves with the fingers cut off4 ,aren't you afraid you'll get stung1 ,edith1 said ,bob4 ,i'm like yourself1 ,bob2 ,i've never handled bees before1 but ,i think they're the most interesting thing we have on the farm4 ,i've been reading many books about them recently4 ,won't you let me help you8 ,yes1 if you're not afraid1 ,i'd be glad to have you1 he replied1 for there's going to be two more swarms soon4 ,they brushed off the swarm into a small box and carried it over to a new hive4 ,as soon as the queen had entered1 they left it there and went back to watch the second one4 ,they were just in time1 for the swarm that filled the air was starting to settle and they1 too1 were soon gathered and put into a new hive4 ,by this time the third one was out and they saw it was getting ready for a long flight1 for it kept getting higher and higher1 despite the racket they made1 and started off4 ,it flew for quite a distance before it settled on the limb of a shell-bark hickory tree in a field on the adjoining farm4 ,of all the places for them to pick out1 said ,bob1 as he and ,edith came up and saw where they had finally settled1 but nevertheless ,i'm not going to lose that swarm1 if ,i can help it2 though it's going to be pretty hard climbing that tree4 ,every time ,i climb a hickory tree1 ,i think of ,jim ,black4 ,why1 who was he8 asked ,edith4 ,oh1 he was the meanest man in the country4 ,they say he'd wear out a pair of new overalls climbing a sell-bark hickory tree to get the wool out of a robin's nest1 laughed ,bob4 ,he must have been pretty mean if he'd do that1 said ,edith4 ,after considerable work1 ,bob managed to get up over the rough jagged trunk and finally succeeded in cutting off the limb on which the bees were hanging4 ,with the end of the limb in one hand1 he worked his way back to the trunk and then gradually on down to the ground1 where ,edith took the limb from him4 ,after putting the bees into a box they carried them back and put them into a new hive4 ,shortly after the bees had arrived at the farm1 ,bob had purchased ten new sectional hives and a supply of ready-made combs to aid them in rapid honey-making4 ,much to his surprise he found two of these hives had been set up and had colonies working in them4 ,i wonder when those hives got bees in them1 ,edith8 he inquired1 surprised to see he had two more colonies than he knew about4 ,that's a secret1 she laughed4 ,what do you mean--a secret8 he asked4 ,well1 yesterday when you were in town two colonies swarmed and ,aunt ,bettie and ,i didn't know what to do with them1 but ,tony overheard us talking about it1 and what do you suppose he did8 ,it looks as though he hived them1 replied ,bob4 ,that's just what he did4 ,he wouldn't put on a veil or gloves1 either1 but just went over to the limb1 scraped them into a box1 carried them over and put them in the hive4 ,he even picked up the queen and held it up and showed it to me4 ,i was afraid to get too close for fear ,i'd get stung1 for ,i didn't have a veil on4 ,he said he understands bees and that they never sting him4 ,that's fine1 said ,bob4 ,i'd lost them if it hadn't been for ,tony4 ,yes1 ,i think they would probably have gotten away1 said ,edith1 so you'll have to thank ,tony for saving them for you4 ,i think your hives are too hot1 ,bob4 ,the trees don't shade them from the afternoon sun4 ,why don't you design a concrete apiary1 a sort of an umbrella1 and keep them cooler1 then they're not so apt to swarm4 ,you could make it so it could be closed up in the winter1 too1 then you wouldn't need a cellar4 ,i'll do that to-night1 said ,bob1 because we can't afford to lose any bees1 they're too valuable this time of the year1 just when the honey-making season's opening4 ,i think1 ,bob1 said ,edith1 on the way back to the house1 that the bees and the chickens are the most interesting things you have on the farm4 ,i really believe ,i could manage both myself after a little while1 she continued1 smiling at him1 as they walked along4 ,i think myself you could1 ,edith1 he added1 looking full into her eyes in an understanding way1 and then they both became suddenly silent and didn't speak again until they reached the house4 ,,xix ,,the ,,storm ,joe ,williams found that they had enough fence posts made to erect a section along his property fronting on the main road4 ,that there might be no dispute about the line1 he had a surveyor come out from the town to set stakes giving the dividing lines4 ,in order that his neighbors would all be satisfied1 he invited them over and showed them just where the stakes would come1 referring to the original survey of the property in order to establish the monuments4 ,when they were all satisfied that the lines were right1 he had the monuments re- established by iron pipe put deep into the ground until such times as he could put in monuments of concrete4 ,the farm fronted on the main road for a distance of twelve hundred feet4 ,there were now two entrances--the old main entrance at the lane on the west side of the farm1 and the new road to the sand pit over the breast of the old dam1 near the eastern border4 ,there was a small corner of about an acre and a half between the new pond and the road-- sort of triangular shape piece4 ,as soon as the holes were all dug1 ,bob got his sketch1 showing the placing of the fence posts and the location of the two gates at the entrance to the property2 also sketches for two extra large posts1 one on each side of the driveway4 ,these posts were ornamental and made specially strong by steel rods1 not only to support the gates1 but with two bolts placed near the top for attaching a sign1 for it had been decided that there should be a sign1 cast in concrete for permanency1 and painted white with deep blue letters and border4 ,the sign was to be fifteen inches high and twenty inches long and contain the words3 ,brookside ,farm1 ,joseph ,williams1 ,proprietor4 ,tony had made a set of forms for these posts1 which were to be cast in place1 though the other posts had all been pre-cast at the sand pit and were set up in the holes as they were dug4 ,the old rail fence had been moved back and the fence row thoroughly grubbed out before the wire fence was strung4 ,when the wire was finally put in place and the old rails hauled away1 it gave a very neat appearance to the entrance of the farm4 ,between this fence and the new ditch1 and lying between the two entrances to the farm1 was a field of about seven acres which they decided to plant in potatoes1 as this field was the most fertile of all on the farm4 ,what will we do with the little corner down by the pond1 ,bob8 asked his uncle that evening as they sat around the table for their daily conference4 ,i've a suggestion to make for that1 said his wife4 ,well1 what is it1 now8 asked her husband smiling4 ,build a little cottage there for ,tony and ,maria4 ,when we get through with our concrete work1 ,tony can then make fence posts1 apiaries and other standard concrete sections at the pit and we can sell them2 besides1 he can keep account of all the sand and gravel that is taken away1 and1 of course1 if he lives there1 he'll always be on hand when we need him4 ,you remember what ,john ,white said about other farmers putting up concrete buildings1 and that each time they erected one we could sell them the materials4 ,it will make ,tony and ,maria happy1 and keep them where their services will be most available4 ,that's a good idea1 ,bettie1 said her husband4 ,how much would such a house cost8 ,i don't know1 but ,i think we ought to make them comfortable in a house that would cost not much over #ajjj to #aejj4 ,it should be of the bungalow type and will help to give our farm a very artistic look4 ,what were you and ,maria doing down around the pond the other day8 asked her husband1 suddenly remembering that he saw them there4 ,oh1 we were planting slips for willow trees4 ,when they grow up1 if we trim them1 it will enhance the appearance very much4 ,oh1 that was it8 added her husband1 winking at ,bob4 ,i saw the young willow trees1 but didn't know who planted them4 ,now1 you're only joking1 said his wife4 ,you knew all the time what we were doing4 ,fine idea1 although ,i must confess ,i didn't quite understand at first what it was1 but ,i see now3 we're not only going to have prosperity at ,brookside1 but beauty as well1 and coming over to the side of the table where she was sitting1 he kissed her4 ,what are you and ,ruth so busy at1 ,edith8 asked her uncle1 looking across at them4 ,we've so many bulletins1 ,uncle ,joe1 that ,i am indexing and filing them on a shelf1 so we can get them just when we want them1 said ,edith4 ,you see1 information1 unless it's used1 is of no value1 and if we don't arrange our information so it's easily available when we need it1 it will be of little service to us4 ,i'm glad the old job's done1 said ,ruth1 for ,edith has been making me write all the names and numbers in a book and it's been a terrible job1 ,uncle ,joe--a good deal worse than running the concrete mixer4 ,at nine o'clock the family retired and had been in bed but a short time when a severe thunderstorm broke over ,brookside ,farm4 ,bob had seen many storms in his eighteen years1 but never one so violent as the one which now burst in fury upon them4 ,peal after peal of thunder followed the bright flashes of lightning1 as they struck all around them4 ,the house fairly rocked on its foundations and the storm was so severe they all got up and dressed4 ,bob had never been frightened by a storm before1 but as the heavy claps of thunder followed each other almost as fast as he could wink1 he shivered a little at the thought of what would happen if the lightning should strike the house4 ,the whole family assembled in the sitting room wondering what might happen4 ,bob walked over and stood beside ,edith1 who was looking out of a window4 ,involuntarily she leaned against him for protection1 and he caught and held her trembling hand4 ,they were standing thus looking out at the storm1 when suddenly a brighter flash than any of the others1 followed immediately by a loud clap of thunder1 almost stunned them4 ,edith swayed and would have fallen to the floor had ,bob not caught her in his arms4 ,though stunned himself1 he managed to keep her from falling1 and had scarcely recovered from the shock1 when as he looked out through the window he saw the barn was in flames4 ,our barn's been struck1 he shouted1 and they rushed to the window to look1 and sure enough the barn was in flames4 ,joe ,williams reached for his hat to start out in the storm1 but felt a detaining hand on his arm4 ,joe1 said his wife quickly1 there's not an animal in the barn1 and besides there's scarcely any hay or grain left1 and what other things are there1 certainly are not worth your risking your life4 ,about the only thing you'll lose will be the harness and some small tools1 and catching him firmly by the arms1 as she felt him pull away1 she continued3 ,i'm not going to let you risk your life for those things4 ,there are no other buildings near by that the fire can damage4 ,the rain is coming down in torrents1 and it will prevent the flames setting anything else on fire4 ,let's all go out on the porch and watch it burn1 she added1 and while the storm continued unabated1 they huddled together at the end of the porch watching while the barn slowly burned to its foundations4 ,for how much did you have it insured1 ,joe8 asked his wife1 as the fire died down4 ,five hundred dollars1 said her husband4 ,well1 it's a loss1 ,i know1 she said1 but it's lucky it burned now instead of later in the season1 when it would have been full of grain and implements4 ,i'm glad we've been keeping the live stock in the fields lately4 ,well1 said her husband1 there's no use of crying over spilled milk or burned barns1 so ,i say we all go back to bed1 for the fire's nearly out and this rain would soon put out any new place it might start up4 ,i think it's perfectly splendid1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,ruth1 now that the lightning had ceased flashing2 this will give ,bob and me a chance to build you and ,aunt ,bettie a new barn4 ,all right1 said her uncle2 you'll probably have a chance now1 ,ruth1 to show us what you can do with a real building4 ,hay making soon arrived and now that the barn had been burned1 it was necessary that the hay should be cut and stacked in the field to be brought to the new barn later4 ,it was fortunate1 indeed1 that the implements did not arrive until the week following the destruction of the barn and that the ones already delivered had been in the wagon shed out of danger--consequently they were all saved4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,side ,,delivery ,,rake ,,fluffs ,,up ,,the ,,hay ,,and ,,lets ,,the ,,sun ,,do ,,its ,,work ,,quickly ,illustration3 ,,the ,,self-,,loader ,,makes ,,possible ,,the ,,quick ,,storage ,,of ,,properly ,,cured ,,hay ,,and ,,saves ,,tons ,,of ,,man-,,lifting ,,power ,while ,joe ,williams was sorry to lose his barn1 yet in a way he was glad1 now that it was gone1 for it had always been an eyesore1 standing there between the house and the main road4 ,while his wife1 too1 felt sorry for the loss1 she was secretly happy that she could now carry out her plans and build a new house where the old barn had stood1 giving it the prominence it should have4 ,her husband was sure this had been in her mind when they located the dairy house1 for he saw it was in the right place to be a part of the group of buildings4 ,ruth was in the hay field every day now1 helping her uncle with the work4 ,this work seemed to delight her more than anything she had found on the farm4 ,she was very busy driving the hay rake one day when ,john ,white's runabout drove up into the barnyard4 ,the banker1 however1 was not in the car4 ,his nephew1 ,eddie ,brown1 and his chum1 ,herbert ,potter1 were the occupants4 ,bob1 with ,tony and four of the neighbors' boys1 were putting the finishing touches on the cow barn and saw them coming4 ,he was not particularly interested in them2 they did not like farm work any more than he liked them1 and their coming always annoyed him4 ,he was evidently not to be bothered with their society1 however1 for they went into the house1 and a few minutes later he saw them going over to the hay field1 where ,ruth and her uncle were working4 ,bob was so busy with his work that he had practically forgotten them until he looked over and saw ,edith at the apiary examining the bees4 ,with her was ,eddie ,brown1 and ,bob smiled as he noticed that ,eddie was standing at a safe distance from the hives4 ,it was perhaps a quarter of an hour later when ,bob again looked over into the hay field and saw the two boys with pitchforks turning hay1 in a portion of the field that was swampy and full of elderberry bushes4 ,he was still watching them when he saw ,eddie use his fork to strike at something in the air and a moment later his friend ,herbert did the same thing4 ,then as he and his helpers watched1 the boys seemed to be striking all around them with their pitchforks4 ,suddenly ,eddie and ,herbert fell to the ground and began to roll1 and ,bob saw his uncle stop the team1 jump from the mower and rush over in their direction4 ,there was no further doubt in ,bob's mind what was going on4 ,as soon as his uncle had gotten near them1 he took a bundle of hay and struck in all directions as he rushed in and got one of the boys by his legs and started to drag him out4 ,ruth1 not to be outdone by her uncle1 stopped her horse and rushed back and grabbed ,eddie ,brown's legs and started to pull him away4 ,she no sooner had hold of his legs than she snatched off her straw hat and began waving it frantically around in the air1 then turned and rushed for the house as fast as she could go4 ,bob looked to see what had become of ,edith1 and noticed her leaning against a tree near the apiary4 ,even at the distance he was from her1 he could tell she was enjoying the situation as much as himself4 ,there was no question of what had happened4 ,the boys had stirred up a nest of swamp bumble bees1 and instead of running away from them had stopped to fight them4 ,it suddenly occurred to ,bob that his uncle liked these two boys about as much as he liked them himself1 and he figured it was perhaps for this reason his uncle had forgotten the existence of the bumble bees1 that he doubtless located when he ran the mower over them4 ,perhaps it was also for this reason he would not let ,ruth rake there1 but instead set the boys at work with forks4 ,as he watched1 ,bob saw them all go down to the brook where his uncle dabbed wet clay on the stings and where a few minutes later ,edith joined them and escorted them back to the house4 ,ruth was so badly stung that she was ill and her aunt put her to bed at once4 ,the boys sat on the porch for a while1 the picture of distress1 listening to ,edith narrate the story of the fight4 ,both of ,herbert's eyes were swollen tight shut and ,eddie was able to see out of only one of his4 ,after sitting restlessly on the porch for a half hour1 they got into their car and started for home4 ,what are you laughing at1 ,tony8 asked ,bob1 as they watched the car disappear down the lane4 ,the boys no-a like-a da work1 and-a the bees they no-a like-a da boys4 ,i guess that's about right1 said ,bob2 we probably won't see them again for some time4 ,,xx ,,good ,,roads ,as the ,fourth of ,july approached1 ,john ,white1 the banker1 and ,joe ,williams1 proprietor of ,brookside ,farm1 held a number of conferences4 ,it was finally decided to celebrate the ,fourth with a picnic on the farm4 ,i don't think we'll make it exactly a day of rest though1 said the banker1 for ,i notice your wheat is just about ready for cutting1 ,joe4 ,why not use the tractor to draw your new binder instead of the team4 ,i'll have to do that anyway1 whether ,i want to or not1 smiled ,joe4 ,how's that8 asked the banker4 ,well1 we have two of the finest little ,belgian colts you've ever seen1 he replied4 ,indeed6 exclaimed the banker4 ,they will be worth money to you4 ,yes1 said ,joe ,williams1 those colts will easily bring from #aej to #bej by next spring4 ,now1 you can see why it pays to keep good stock1 ,joe1 said the banker4 ,no farmer should waste feed on horses that weigh less than #afjj pounds--from that on up to #bjjj pounds is the coming horse in this country4 ,look what a difference there is in their capacity for work and a large horse really eats little more than a small scrub4 ,after some discussion it was decided that the ,county ,commissioners should be invited to the picnic1 also a representative of the ,portland ,cement ,association1 to tell them about the making of concrete roads1 and that ,mr4 ,patterson1 too1 should be included in the invitation4 ,shortly after moving to town1 ,bob's grandparents had gone for an extended visit to their relatives and had just returned to their new home a few days before the picnic1 so on the morning of the ,fourth1 the first to arrive at ,brookside were his grandparents4 ,bob was not only delighted to see them1 but fully enjoyed their surprise at the changed appearance of the farm4 ,of course1 the loss of the barn was one of the things that made the farm look different1 but the neat wire fence1 with its self-opening gates at the main road1 the new buildings which were fast taking shape1 and the replacing of the old pond with a field of fine growing corn1 all helped to give the farm a changed look4 ,bob's grandmother had evidently changed her mind regarding the son's trip to the poorhouse4 ,her rest from farm labor and the long visit among old friends had rekindled her interest in all things4 ,she was as eager as a child and listened keenly as ,bob took them from building to building and showed what had been done and explained the details and new devices2 also the other buildings that were contemplated4 ,his grandmother was delighted1 most of all with the dairy and hen house4 ,i tell you1 ,bob1 she said1 you've certainly made the work light for a woman on this farm1 and ,i'm glad now that ,joe has been able to put in a modern farm equipment4 ,i suppose the next thing you'll be doing will be to put up a new house and barn4 ,oh1 yes1 we've arranged that already1 grandmother1 said ,bob4 ,you see1 when the lightning struck the old barn we didn't have our plans made or anything1 so after ,john ,white and ,uncle ,joe talked it over they decided to get ,mr4 ,brady1 the contractor1 to help them out with the buildings4 ,it would have been a pretty big job for ,tony and me to get them all up this summer4 ,you've really accomplished wonders already1 ,bob1 with the dairy house1 hen house and cow barn1 said his grandmother4 ,these are the contractor's tools and materials over here1 grandma1 said ,bob2 he says he's going to have all the buildings finished by ,september first4 ,not the new house1 ,bob8 ,well1 it may take longer for that building1 as the house will have to be plastered and painted1 but he has agreed to have the barn up by the first of ,september and the house not later than the first of ,november4 ,they're all going to be of concrete and fireproof1 too1 like our smaller buildings1 he said proudly4 ,they must be costing a good deal1 ,bob4 ,not so much1 grandma2 the contract price for the barn is #bjjj and the house #dejj4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,electric-,,driven ,,laundry ,,permits ,,the ,,wife ,,to ,,keep ,,pace ,,with ,,her ,,tractor-,,driving ,,husband ,,and ,,banishes ,,blue ,,mondays ,my1 ,bob1 that's a terrible amount of money to spend for two buildings4 ,yes1 but wait till you see all we're getting out of the farm this year1 grandma4 ,now1 come over and see the laundry we've fitted up in the old wash house4 ,of course1 we'll have a real laundry in the new house1 but this will give you some idea of what it will be like1 he said1 as he opened the door and showed her in4 ,this is the washing machine and wringer1 and this is the mangle4 ,why1 what's the mangle for8 she asked4 ,oh1 that's the machine for ironing the clothes1 answered ,bob4 ,they all run by electricity1 too4 ,the waste water from the pond runs a turbine water wheel and that's connected by a belt to an electric generator1 a machine for changing mechanical energy to electrical energy1 you know2 and all we need to do is to throw this switch over and the wheel starts turning down at the pond and we have current4 ,of course1 at night we take the current from the storage batteries for lights1 after we shut down the wheel1 but these motors require too much current to use the batteries for them1 economically4 ,why1 do you have electric lights in the house1 ,bob8 she asked4 ,not in the house1 grandma--only in the new buildings1 and the laundry4 ,we didn't think it would pay to put the lights in the house for only a few weeks in the summer1 when we'll soon have our new house finished1 but1 of course1 there'll be electric lights in the new house4 ,well1 ,bob1 it's certainly wonderful the way things have changed in such a short time4 ,i was admiring your bees as we came up the new drive4 ,the white hives certainly look nice sitting over there under the green trees1 and such a lot of white chickens1 ,bob4 ,i never saw so many in one place in my life before4 ,how many have you now8 ,almost #ajjj1 grandma1 he replied proudly4 ,edith mostly looks after them and the bees4 ,what will you do with so many1 ,bob8 ,oh1 we'll sell a lot and keep some for laying4 ,just wait till you see our books next spring--you'll see how it pays4 ,at eleven o'clock the neighbors began to arrive in automobiles1 buggies and wagons2 each brought a full basket with them4 ,bob's aunt1 ,maria and the two girls were as busy as bees in the kitchen preparing coffee and lemonade1 and ,bob's nose detected the odor of fried chicken4 ,joe ,williams had taken the tractor and binder and gone to the wheat field and was busy cutting his wheat4 ,as fast as the farmers arrived1 they adjourned to the field to see the tractor work4 ,as the wheat field was not far from the meadows1 they all had a chance to see ,bob's apiary1 where ,tony was busy hiving a colony of bees that had swarmed that morning4 ,at twelve o'clock ,joe ,williams stopped the tractor and came over to join his guests4 ,lunch was served under the trees surrounding the house4 ,as soon as they were all assembled1 the baskets were opened and ,bob's aunt and the girls served the hot coffee1 lemonade and fried chicken4 ,when the dinner was finished1 ,john ,white1 who was accompanied by his wife1 ,mr4 ,patterson and a strange gentleman1 arose and said3 ,we have gathered here at ,brookside ,farm to renew old acquaintances and make new ones1 and ,i know no better day on which to strike a blow for liberty from hard work than the day on which we celebrate our ,national ,liberty4 ,before going into the details of how you may gain that liberty1 we are going to sing ',america'2 then after that we're going to sing a new song composed by one of the young ladies living here at ,brookside ,farm--,miss ,edith ,atwood4 ,she has made copies of the words so you can all help sing it2 you'll find the tune easy and perhaps familiar to some of you4 ,let's stand while we sing ',america'1 and as they arose ,tony stepped forward with his flute and led off with the tune4 ,wait6 wait6 exclaimed the banker2 you're all free men1 singing your ,national ,hymn4 ,don't be afraid to sing out--there isn't a third of you singing4 ,now let's get together and ,,all sing--sing like the free men we are and intend to remain4 ,all ready6 and he led off with a fine baritone voice4 ,there was not a person there who did not sing his best and it was surprising how many good voices there were among them4 ,when they had finished and seated themselves1 ,ruth passed around the copies of the new song4 ,much against her protest1 she was wearing a dress to-day4 ,now we'll try the new song1 said the banker1 but first we'll have ,tony play the air through so that you may learn the tune4 ,all ready-- now let's have the song1 and as ,tony started the air again they sang3 ,,oh1 ,,happy1 ,,happy ,,farmer 7,tune1 ,oh1 ,mother ,dear ,jerusalem7 ,oh1 do you know the joy that comes from living on a farm1 ,when you have power to do your work1 and steam to keep you warm8 ,oh1 happy1 happy farmer1 his life is free from care--,an auto in his garage1 and good roads everywhere4 ,they sang it with a will--not once but three times4 ,that's a good song1 said the banker2 one with a sermon1 and that's the kind that lasts4 ,i hope you'll all remember it4 ,i want to congratulate ,miss ,atwood on the happy thought so ably expressed by the song4 ,now ,i want to talk to you men for a few minutes4 ,some of you were here last spring when we made ,joe ,williams doubly happy while he was away getting married1 by doing his spring plowing by power4 ,you have seen his tractor working this morning in the wheat field1 and you can all judge of the advantage of the use of power by the acreage he cut since morning4 ,most of you have also looked at the new concrete buildings that ,joe ,williams has erected here at ,brookside1 and you must all admit that they are well designed and well-built1 permanent buildings4 ,of course1 the cow barn is not quite finished1 and the main barn and the house will not be finished until fall1 but the work has proceeded far enough so you can get a good idea of what it's going to mean to ,joe ,williams and his goodwife to have these conveniences to work with4 ,just look out into the barnyard there at that array of machinery2 it looks almost like machinery hall at the ,state ,fair1 and ,i want to tell you men that there's not a piece of machinery in that whole lot that you should not have on your own farms1 and you can get them just the same as ,joe ,williams got his1 if you want them4 ,it doesn't pay to work with poor tools1 any more than it pays to get a half crop where you could get a full crop if you managed rightly4 ,good tools reduce labor and increase speed so that you can accomplish a great deal more with less work than with a poor outfit4 ,not one of you could drive by that new fence1 with concrete posts1 on the main road this morning1 without realizing the permanent nature of it1 and without wishing you had your own farm fenced in the same way4 ,i don't suppose you men appreciate the fact that the wire fence on concrete posts costs only #b per rod1 which is #a a rod less than a five-board-high fence with chestnut posts would cost4 ,did you ever stop to figure up how many actual hours you spend each year cleaning out your fence rows8 ,compare that time with the labor spent on producing potatoes and figure out how many more bushels you could have raised this year if you had spent that time looking after them rather than looking after your fences4 ,speaking of that1 did you ever see a finer field of corn in your life than the old pond bottom is producing this year8 ,do you know that the corn there is already forty per cent4 higher than the corn in the adjoining field1 and that they are raising four stalks to the hill in that field instead of three in the other field--and that's a thirty-three per cent4 increase right there4 ,here's a hen house that will easily accommodate five hundred laying hens4 ,do you ladies appreciate what that will mean to ',aunt' ,bettie ,williams this winter1 selling eggs when all your hens have quit laying8 ,i want you ladies while you're here to talk with her2 she'll be glad to tell you about her plans4 ,if any of you ever saw a better dairy in your life1 ,i'd like to have the address of it4 ,you can see what it would mean to you to have such a dairy house of your own1 and the whole thing1 including the icehouse1 cream separator1 etc41 only cost #dej4 ,if you would like to get a similar equipment and didn't have a penny and had to borrow the cost from the ,first ,national ,bank1 and pay interest at the rate of six per cent1 it would mean only #bg a year1 or the wool from four sheep4 ,i want you all to see the herd of ,holstein cows before you go away to-night4 ,one cow alone is averaging twenty quarts per day from pasture land1 which will mean nearly thirty quarts per day when they are stabled and the feeding can be regulated4 ,illustration3 ,,well-,,built ,,concrete ,,roads ,,bring ,,the ,,markets ,,and ,,your ,,neighbors ,,nearer1 ,,increase ,,the ,,value ,,of ,,the ,,farms ,,and ,,start ,,an ,,epidemic ,,of ,,new ,,fences ,,with ,,clean ,,fence ,,rows ,at the mention of this amount of milk1 all the farmers looked at each other4 ,how many cows does it take to give that much milk8 asked one of them4 ,just one1 replied the banker1 and1 besides this one1 there are several others that give almost as much4 ,while ,i wanted you to inspect the new buildings and see the cattle and machinery--that is not the main reason ,i asked you to come to ,brookside to-day4 ,we are fortunate to have with us ,mr4 ,barth1 of the ,portland ,cement ,association1 whom ,i have asked to speak to you briefly on the advantages of good roads4 ,it has been a great pleasure for me to be permitted to be a part of this gathering here at ,brookside ,farm1 said ,mr4 ,barth1 particularly as the subject ,i have to discuss bears directly on the possibility of such gatherings4 ,good roads1 my friends1 like good manners1 commend themselves wherever used4 ,it is very noticeable along improved roads the tendency of the farmers to improve the appearance of their homes and other buildings4 ,in fact1 the presence of good roads seems many times to stimulate latent self-respect into practical expression4 ,social institutions1 such as schools1 churches and public amusements1 are more or less dependent in the country upon road conditions4 ,think what it would mean to you to have a consolidated school where the more advanced grades and even high school subjects could be taught1 a building containing an auditorium1 where you could meet any season of the year4 ,i have attended many concerts and even listened to grand opera singers1 but ,i want to say right here ,i've never had my heart stirred by music before as it has been stirred here this afternoon4 ,think of the advantages to a community of being able to develop the talent displayed here--what it would mean to you people yourselves to be able to get together1 especially in the winter1 and sing4 ,what a great benefit and uplift it would be in any community4 ,now1 good roads make consolidated schools possible and give you these advantages4 ,take the benefits you now derive from rural free delivery of mail-- the happiness and home comforts it has brought2 nothing contributes so much to its efficiency and regularity as good roads4 ,it is a matter of common observation that when any community has passed from a condition dominated by bad roads to a condition which is characterized by good roads1 land values in that community advance4 ,the cost of hauling farm produce to market is probably not so much increased by the grades as by the bad condition of the road surface4 ,the trouble with unimproved earth roads is that they are muddy for many months in the year4 ,do you know that you can haul six times as much over a good concrete road surface as you can through average mud8 ,or putting it another way1 for the same load hauled one mile in mud1 you can go six miles over concrete4 ,the ,bureau of ,statistics of the ,department of ,agriculture has collected much data that shows the waste of time and money by farmers using dirt roads4 ,why has ,joe ,williams put power all over ,brookside ,farm8 ,i'll tell you3 for the same reason that you men are going to put it on your farms next year--not because the work is made easier1 but because it saves time--lets one man do easily the work of three or four4 ,that's why4 ,do you want to spend six hours hauling a load from town to your farm1 or from your farm to town1 when you can do it in one hour8 ,that's what they mean when they tell you about conserving man power4 ,good roads and only good roads will do that for you4 ,now1 just a moment more and ,i am through4 ,there are a number of different materials for the construction of road beds1 but in the speaker's opinion none that will give the universal satisfaction of well-placed concrete4 ,in your community1 roads should not cost over #a4ge to #b per square yard4 ,one thing ,i would advise you not to do3 don't make your roads too narrow4 ,remember the sides should have well- built shoulders1 well graded away from the sides of the road bed4 ,don't use less than a width of twenty feet--you'll always be glad you had the foresight to make them wide enough4 ,i thank you4 ,the next three speakers1 said the banker1 you all know2 they are your ,county ,commissioners4 ,they are modest men1 every one of them1 and don't like to make speeches1 so ,i have promised to let them off with just a short announcement4 ,i believe ,mr4 ,wilson has something to say to you4 ,this has been the most pleasant day ,i have ever spent in our county1 barring none1 said the speaker1 by way of introduction4 ,if any one had told me six months ago that we would have a farm within two miles of our county seat1 fenced with wire and permanent concrete posts1 with modern permanent fireproof buildings1 all equipped with modern power-driven machines and owned by one of the happiest farmers ,i have ever had the pleasure of meeting1 ,i should have been afraid that someone would have awakened me1 for ,i would have been sure it was a dream4 ,but right here on ,brookside ,farm are all these things1 and ,i'm told that when ,joe ,williams gets through with his improvements1 there will be even more than ,i have described4 ,what's more1 his books already show that he is making a handsome profit from his farm this year1 and that1 my friends1 doesn't include the returns from his sand and gravel pit4 ,it has been fortunate for him that he had this sand pit on his farm1 but aside from that1 the farm itself shows that it's going to pay a big return on the investment4 ,of course1 the sand and gravel pit has helped him in getting his equipment quickly1 and in that he has been fortunate4 ,but the thing ,i want to say to you men is that the ,commissioners are in hearty accord with the statements just made by ,mr4 ,earth1 regarding concrete roads4 ,we feel that you are entitled to better roads1 that the county will be greatly benefited by the building of these roads4 ,of course1 the state will pay half the cost of these roads1 the county one-fourth1 but the balance of the cost will have to be borne by you4 ,i know there is no one here who wants to spend six or even three hours in hauling a load the distance he ought to be able to haul it in one hour if the roads were in good shape4 ,we're going to advertise for a bond issue for ten miles of new concrete roads1 six miles of the road will be from the new railroad to town1 going by this farm1 and as soon as this is built we will extend this road and others leading out of the town4 ,one of our principal reasons for selecting this particular road to start with is the fact that we need sand and gravel for the construction of all these roads1 and1 as a considerable portion of this sand and gravel will have to come from the ,williams pit1 it will save a great deal of cost in hauling by having good roads for the distribution of the material4 ,i'd like to know if there's a man present who is not in favor of building these concrete roads4 ,if there is1 ,i'd like to have him stand up and tell us why he is against it4 ,after a moment's pause1 during which he looked from one to the other1 ,mr4 ,wilson continued3 ,i'm glad to see it's unanimous1 and that the ,commissioners have your hearty support4 ,there's just one other thing ,i'd like to say and that is that the ,first ,national ,bank has agreed to subscribe for the bond issue and loan the county all the money we need to build these roads1 and you'll have to thank ,john ,white and his ',constructive ,banking' idea for that4 ,i'm sure you'll all be greatly benefited1 as it will bring your farms much nearer the market4 ,three cheers for concrete roads1 shouted ,alex ,wallace4 ,the cheers were given with great applause4 ,that's fine1 said ,john ,white as he arose1 but the improvement of the roads is only the beginning of the work we should do4 ,each man should plan to improve his own farm1 and what's more each acre should be made to produce the maximum amount4 ,first put on plenty of manure1 second put on plenty of manure1 and third put on plenty of manure-- that's what makes the crops4 ,now1 ,i have an announcement ,i want to make4 ,i have made arrangements with the ,state ,fair ,commissioners to establish four prizes to be awarded each year at the ,fair4 ,the first prize is a grain prize of #be1 and goes to the farmer whose grain produces the largest yield per acre of ground planted4 ,the second1 a prize of #be to the farm that earns the biggest revenue during the year on the capital invested1 the third is a prize of #be for you ladies and goes to the farm whose dairy earns the most money per cow1 and the fourth is a prize of #be to the farm whose poultry earns the greatest amount per hen4 ,there will be a set of rules governing all these prizes4 ,no farm will be eligible to compete for any of them that has not a regular system of cost accounting and whose books cannot be examined and audited by a public auditor4 ,all book accounts must run from ,march first of one year to ,march first of the succeeding year4 ,i believe ,mr4 ,barth has something further to say to you4 ,mr4 ,barth arose and said3 ,gentlemen1 ,i represent1 as you know1 the manufacturers of ,portland cement1 and ,i am authorized to say that the ,association has also added a prize of #be to be awarded each year in this county to the farmer who uses the most concrete on his farm during the year--the ,county ,commissioners to be the judges in each case4 ,whereupon ,john ,white arose and continued3 ,now1 before making a visit around the farm1 ,i wish to call your attention to a couple of things ,i'd like you to be sure and see4 ,first1 take a look at the running water1 especially the shower bath4 ,you men have no idea how it freshens one up at the end of the day to take a shower4 ,why let the golfer alone enjoy all the good things when you need them more8 ,you should all have running water and a shower4 ,i also want to call to your attention that when the ditch was dug to put in this water system1 the ground was so hard that it was blasted out with dynamite4 ,if you will walk out to the orchard back of the smokehouse1 and take a look at the field of oats1 you will see a strip of oats more than a foot higher than the surrounding oats and eight feet wide running across the field--that will show you what dynamite does to the land4 ,i would like you to go to the edge of the field and take a look at those oats4 ,most of us think that dynamite is used for tearing things apart1 but here is a case where it is building up the land and making it produce greater crops4 ,you farmers who are going to exhibit oats at the ,state ,fair this year better look out for your laurels1 because ,i think ,joe ,williams has the prize winner right there on that piece of dynamited land4 ,the afternoon was spent in examining the buildings and new machinery1 and looking over the plans for the new house and barn4 ,bob had almost lost his voice by the time the last of the farmers had gone explaining to them the details of the work4 ,there was not a prouder or happier boy in the state of ,pennsylvania that night than ,bob ,williams1 for he felt that ,brookside ,farm was destined to be a great success and he had been a part of the redemption of the old homestead4 ,they sat out on the porch in the twilight4 ,while ,tony played on his flute they sang many songs4 ,they were surprised how much talent they had in their own family circle4 ,aunt ,bettie and ,edith both had good soprano voices and ,ruth a fair contralto4 ,bob sang tenor and his uncle bass4 ,it was ,maria1 though1 that surprised them with a remarkable good mezzo-soprano4 ,they were all too happy to sleep1 so they sang song after song until the clock struck eleven4 ,then they sang ,the ,happy ,farmer song again and went to bed4 ,it had been a great day for ,brookside ,farm4 ,,xxi ,,filling ,,the ,,silo ,while ,bob and ,tony 7helped out by the neighbors' boys who came to ,brookside ,farm to learn the handling of cement7 carried on the building work1 ,mr4 ,brady1 the contractor1 made rapid strides with the construction of the house and barn4 ,joe ,williams looked after the crops with occasional help from ,bob and ,tony4 ,ruth1 who found the greatest pleasure in the fields1 deserted ,bob and his concrete mixer entirely for her uncle's machinery4 ,she soon learned to handle the big tractor and used it to cut the entire field of oats4 ,after acquiring the knack of using a pitchfork1 it was surprising the work she did and thrived on4 ,she had one vanity1 however--that of having her picture taken nearly every day in her farmerette clothes4 ,edith1 who took these pictures1 declared ,ruth spent her nights thinking up some new poses for the next day's pictures4 ,but they were a happy family1 and many a summer evening1 when they all seemed too tired to move1 ,tony's sudden appearance with his flute would start them all singing and cause them to forget their bodily fatigue4 ,the corn in the back field looks as though it's about ready for the silo1 ,bob1 said his uncle one morning1 and ,i think we had better arrange to start filling it to-morrow4 ,it will give us a chance to try out our new machinery4 ,it's surprising how large the corn in the new bottom has grown--,i never would have believed it myself without having actually seen it4 ,don't you think1 ,uncle ,joe1 we should leave a small section of the best of it standing1 say three or four acres1 for seed corn8 ,we could get #e a bushel next spring for good seed corn1 besides having our own4 ,then1 too1 we ought to have some to exhibit at the ,fair4 ,i don't think there'll be any corn like it in the county4 ,that's so1 said his uncle4 ,it would be well to do that4 ,we could exhibit some on the stalks1 too1 and then people could see how fertile ,brookside ,farm is4 ,i've arranged to put on four men and three teams to help us1 ,bob1 because it will take seven to handle the outfit4 ,it ought not to take us more than three days to do the work--that would mean fifty tons per day to haul and three horses on the binder4 ,so the next morning at seven o'clock the new corn binder was started in the bottom field and by the end of the third day the corn was all harvested1 cut to three-quarter inch length and placed in the silo1 without a break or delay4 ,there's one advantage in having the right kind of machinery to do a job1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob admiringly2 you can cut the corn when it's just right4 ,if we had let the corn stand a few days longer1 it would not have been as good as it is now4 ,we'll probably have the best ensilage that will be put up this year4 ,illustration3 ,,transferring ,,the ,,green ,,corn ,,crop ,,from ,,field ,,to ,,silo4 ,,no ,,farmer ,,doing ,,winter ,,feeding ,,can ,,afford ,,to ,,be ,,without ,a ,,profit-,,making ,,silo ,what rate do you think we should charge for the corn binder and ensilage cutter1 ,bob8 asked his uncle4 ,some of the neighbors want to hire it4 ,why not use twenty acres as a basis and charge the same as we decided for the other tools1 ,that looks pretty high1 said his uncle4 ,no higher than it should be1 replied ,bob4 ,if we kept the machines ourselves1 ,uncle ,joe1 they would be in good shape for five years1 but you know when you rent a machine out1 they don't take care of it as we do1 so ,i think we ought to charge one per cent4 of the cost of the two machines per acre to each farmer who rents it4 ,but if you rent it to five farmers in a season1 ,bob1 we would pay for the machines in one year and still own the machines4 ,isn't that a pretty high price8 asked his uncle4 ,but wouldn't the machines have done five years' rated work1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,do you know anybody who is renting them cheaper8 ,it might be cheaper for some fellows to club together and get the machines1 said his uncle4 ,well1 then let them do it and in the meantime our machines won't be worn out1 said ,bob4 ,all right1 said his uncle2 ,billie ,waterson put up a silo and wants to borrow our machines4 ,i'd make him agree to return them in good condition and pay for all repairs necessary1 said ,bob2 don't forget that4 ,all right1 said his uncle2 ,i think ,i'll let him have it on that basis4 ,as soon as the silo had been filled1 the apple-picking was started4 ,they had been in a quandary to know just how to get this crop harvested1 as the trees were exceptionally full of well-developed apples4 ,tony finally solved the problem by saying he could send to ,pittsburgh and get three or four ,italian boys who would be willing to work for a dollar or two a day1 so they were engaged4 ,all the apples were carefully picked by hand and assorted in sizes1 using a device designed by ,tony1 where the apples were allowed to roll slowly down a trough4 ,as the apples dropped through the hole in the bottom of the grading trough1 they rolled down other chutes to the waiting crates4 ,i think we'll sell our apples this year1 ,bob1 by the piece instead of by the bushel1 said his aunt1 after inspecting the first that were picked4 ,they look so fine ,i think we can easily get four to five cents each for them if they are put in nice cartons and each apple wrapped in paper4 ,we can put our label on them and after we have marketed them for a year or two1 people will write in for their supply4 ,i know some firms in the mountains of ,virginia who are doing that now and selling all they can raise4 ,we can keep the first and second grade apples for sale and the third for our own use and for cider making4 ,i think perhaps the three best sellers would be the ,winesaps1 ,black ,twigs and ,albemarle ,pippins4 ,they look exceptionally fine4 ,i don't think ,i ever saw nicer apples than ours4 ,when they had the apples all gathered1 they found they had #ejj bushels of first and second grade apples of the three varieties and #fc bushels of the third grade4 ,of these latter they kept #ac bushels for their own use1 and after making ten barrels of cider1 they offered the rest for sale in town1 where they obtained #ej cents per bushel for them4 ,it will be better1 ,joe1 to sell them off at a cheap price rather than keep them and sort them all winter4 ,besides1 we don't want to market any but the best under the name of the farm4 ,we must hurry the work1 ,bob1 on the root cellar to take care of our apples1 said his aunt4 ,all right1 ,aunt ,bettie1 he replied2 it's nearly finished4 ,a few days after the cider-making had been completed1 the new milking machine arrived4 ,the agent for the manufacturers sent a man to show ,bob how to erect it4 ,when the machine had been completed and tried out1 they tested it out that night4 ,bob found he could milk his ten best cows in just a half hour1 or half the time it had taken before to milk by hand4 ,milking by power certainly was a great idea and the cows didn't seem to object at all to the change4 ,bob and his aunt were sure now that they had not made any miscalculations on designing the dairy barn for a twenty-cow herd2 they felt they would be able to take care of that number easily4 ,let's go hunting1 ,bob1 said ,ruth one morning at breakfast a few days later4 ,i'd like to shoot some real game4 ,all right1 said ,bob1 but we've only one gun between us4 ,you see1 ,i don't own a gun and ,uncle ,joe has only one4 ,oh1 that reminds me1 said his uncle1 ,john ,white gave me a package yesterday to bring out for you and ,i was so busy ,i forgot and left it in the automobile last night4 ,i guess it's still there1 and he winked at ,edith and ,ruth across the table4 ,bob got up and went to the barn and came back a few minutes later with a long package4 ,when opened1 he found1 much to his delight1 it contained a double-barreled hammerless shotgun4 ,tied to the gun was a card on which was written3 ,for my friend1 ,bob ,williams1 with best wishes1 from ,john ,white4 ,that was splendid of him to buy me a gun4 ,i wonder why he did it1 exclaimed ,bob4 ,well1 ,i guess he likes you1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 and he feels you're helping to do a good work in the county1 so he just bought it for you4 ,it's the same gauge as mine1 so you can use some of my shells1 although he gave me two boxes of shells already loaded1 and he handed over the shells to ,bob4 ,and this is your belt1 he said laughing1 and he handed ,bob a very fine belt of buff leather4 ,we certainly can go hunting to-day1 ,ruth1 said ,bob1 delighted with his new present1 and as soon as the milking and chores were done1 they set off back of the pond and through the woods1 back of the ,old ,round ,top4 ,bob had every confidence in ,ruth's ability to shoot and did not fear an accident from her gun4 ,while ,ruth couldn't do many things1 shooting was not one of them1 for she had proven herself to be an expert shot on a number of occasions4 ,when they reached the woods they separated and ,bob went up the ravine while ,ruth kept along the hillsides4 ,they had not gone very far when a chicken hawk flew over the ravine just ahead of ,bob and alighted on a tree4 ,here was an unexpected opportunity of making a good shot and bringing home a trophy worth while4 ,so he took careful aim and fired1 but the distance was either too great or the aim was bad1 for the hawk flew away4 ,he continued up the ravine until he came to a line fence which he followed up the hill and joined ,ruth1 neither one having had an opportunity of shooting at any other game4 ,too bad you missed him1 ,bob2 he was such a fine-looking specimen4 ,did you see it1 ,ruth8 ,yes1 it ran alongside of me4 ,what do you mean1 it ran alongside of you8 asked ,bob2 the last ,i saw of it1 it was flying4 ,flying6 exclaimed ,ruth4 ,why it ran along the ground just like a dog and had a big red bushy tail4 ,i was sitting on a stump taking a rest when you fired4 ,it came sneaking up the hill toward me1 all the while watching you4 ,it came up so close ,i could have put my hand out and touched it4 ,it stopped right in1 front of me for a minute or two and then ran off up over the ridge4 ,what are you talking about ,ruth8 asked ,bob4 ,the thing ,i shot at was a hawk and it flew through the air4 ,it didn't run along the ground at all4 ,oh1 said ,ruth1 what ,i saw must have been a fox1 and1 ,bob1 it stood just in front of me for a minute or two before it turned and went away4 ,if that's so why didn't you shoot it8 demanded ,bob4 ,i was too excited4 ,i never thought about shooting it4 ,well1 you lost an opportunity of a lifetime4 ,you'll probably never get a chance to get a fox as easy as that again4 ,please don't tell the folks at the house1 ,bob1 that ,i had the buck fever--they'd never get through teasing me if they knew ,i'd let such a chance go by4 ,they hunted all the rest of the morning1 but got only three grey squirrels1 of which ,ruth shot two4 ,a few days later1 as ,ruth was crossing the oat stubbles1 she saw a small black and white animal skipping along through the stubbles just ahead of her4 ,thinking it was a kitten that had strayed from the house1 she rushed after it and was almost ready to pick it up when she suddenly changed her mind and started for the house as fast as she could go4 ,the dinner bell had rung and as ,ruth came around the side of the house1 her aunt and ,edith1 who were sitting on the porch1 shouted in unison3 ,go 'way6 ,go 'way6 ,go out to the barn4 ,where've you been8 ,i tried to pick up a kitten out in the oat stubbles1 confessed ,ruth4 ,well1 ,i guess you did1 all right1 said her aunt4 ,wait until ,edith gets you some clothes and then go out to the old icehouse and change them4 ,leave the clothes you have on out there1 because you'll never be able to wear them again4 ,ruth1 who had been trying hard to control her feelings1 now broke into sobs1 for she had only one farmerette suit and this meant the loss of it4 ,it was such an innocent-looking kitten1 too1 she said4 ,innocent nothing1 said her uncle1 who came in from the barn just then4 ,don't you know a skunk when you see one8 ,no1 ,i didn't1 but ,i will next time1 confessed ,ruth4 ,edith then appeared with the necessary garments and took them to the icehouse where she left them and where ,ruth later went and made the change4 ,that afternoon she was particularly depressed1 for she had to wear a dress instead of her favorite breeches1 which seemed to depress her more and more as the afternoon wore on4 ,she gladly welcomed the appearance of ,eddie ,brown and ,herbert ,potter1 who drove out to see the girls and to tell them they were about to leave to go to school4 ,bob was now working on a new piggery1 which he and ,tony had well under way4 ,the pens were to accommodate thirty pigs1 and were built so they could be extended from time to time1 as they might decide4 ,in addition to the pen1 they were constructing a large feeding floor1 and now that work on the main barn had been completed1 ,mr4 ,brady was pushing the work on the new house1 which was progressing rapidly4 ,bob was sorry it was necessary to build this house so quickly1 as he would have liked to work out all the details for it1 but he had to be satisfied with the development of the plan1 which he and his ,aunt ,bettie worked out after a great many conferences4 ,the house was to face the south and have a long porch running the full width of the front with a return on the west end4 ,the south front was to face the flower garden and the west front would connect with the drive1 while the back of the house would open into the general barnyard4 ,they planned to build the woodshed and laundry between the new house and the dairy1 with a heating system and the fuel in the cellar4 ,this would prevent the cellar of the main house becoming too warm for storage purposes4 ,they had also decided to build the new machinery house to take care of the implements with a good-size tool shed adjoining--also a garage large enough to accommodate an automobile and two motor trucks and an oil house at one end4 ,they were also at work on fifty concrete apiaries for the protection of the bees4 ,the septic tank was being built by ,mr4 ,brady in connection with the house1 but the root cellar1 corn crib1 manure pit and the sheep barn were yet to be completed by ,bob and ,tony2 but the plans for them had already been worked out4 ,it had also been decided that they should build a sixty-foot greenhouse for the growing of cucumbers and other vegetables under glass1 which they would try out that winter--also a half dozen cold frames and a small mushroom cellar4 ,the work on the piggery was to include a hog-dipping vat1 a platform and scalding vat4 ,a garbage burner had been installed at the rear of the dairy not far from the woodshed4 ,the plans for the house included a cistern for the collection of rain water in the cellar under the laundry4 ,after these had been planned1 they decided that the old brick smokehouse was in a bad location and too far away from the house4 ,so this was abandoned and a new smokehouse added in the rear of the dairy buildings4 ,in order to get all the work completed1 they had found it necessary to let ,mr4 ,brady build ,tony's bungalow also1 although they would much have preferred to do this work themselves4 ,they found that even with this help1 they would have to let a number of things go over until the next year--among them a bridge to carry the lane over the new ditch1 and some ornamental concrete work in connection with the garden4 ,they could work much faster now than formerly1 as many of the neighbors' boys were available for a few days at a time1 and even though the fall weather was upon them1 they hoped to get all their concrete work done before the ,december snows4 ,,xxii ,,the ,,fair ,the ,state ,fair1 an event that had long been anticipated at ,brookside ,farm1 was scheduled to be held on ,september tenth that year4 ,the summer was not more than half over before ,joe ,williams decided that he had1 if any thing1 a little better crops and stock than any other man in the county2 in fact1 he was beginning to feel his oats1 as the saying went1 and wanted to show his neighbors just how good a farmer he really was1 so he took a great deal of pride in getting his products ready to exhibit4 ,first he decided to enter his team of ,belgian mares and their two handsome young colts2 then his majesty1 ,king ,pontiac1 the head of the ,holstein herd1 and four of his best ,holstein cows2 then he selected two handsome ,holstein bulls and two heifer calves2 two ,berkshire sows1 one with a litter of ten fine pigs1 together with two young ,berkshire shoats2 then ,jerry1 the ,southdown ram1 and the best two ,southdown ewes and two good lambs2 two breeding pens of white ,leghorns and two of white ,plymouth rocks were then selected2 also the best cock and hen and the best cockerel and pullet1 together with a dozen eggs laid by each breed4 ,then he picked out two bushels of the finest corn that had been raised in the bottom land and two bushels of oats and a dozen each of the three varieties of apples1 and two bushels of potatoes4 ,then ,bob selected two pounds of his best comb honey and ,aunt ,bettie and the girls picked out five dozen of their choice jellies and jams1 and on the opening day of the fair this exhibition was taken to the fair grounds4 ,all work on the buildings was stopped and a number of neighbor boys were engaged to help to take the exhibit to town4 ,all the cattle had been carefully groomed for several weeks in advance and were in fine shape for exhibition purposes1 and attracted a great deal of attention4 ,when the awards had been made1 ,joe ,williams found he had won first prize in every class he had exhibited and in a number he had also carried off second prizes and sweepstakes1 while ,bob won first prize with his honey and ,aunt ,bettie five first prizes and four second prizes on her jellies and jams4 ,as soon as the exhibits were in place1 ,joe ,williams went from one exhibit to another and fastened white cards printed in dark blue letters1 containing the following words3 ,grown on ,brookside ,farm1 ,joseph ,williams1 ,proprietor4 ,say1 ,bob1 said ,alex ,wallace1 if your ,uncle ,joe had won a few prizes more there would not have been any left for the rest of us4 ,oh1 ,i don't know1 said ,bob1 there were lots of other prizes awarded besides those ,uncle ,joe got4 ,how many did you win8 ,we got first and second on our ,jersey cattle and first on our ,clydesdale mare and colt1 but your ,uncle ,joe cleaned up all the prizes on the grain4 ,well1 next year perhaps you can win them4 ,we're going to try for them all right4 ,father says ,joe ,williams needn't think he can come back here from the ,west and annex the ,state ,fair4 ,if he wins next year1 he'll have to go some4 ,we bought a tractor to-day1 ,bob4 ,that's fine1 ,alex4 ,when are you going to start your silo8 ,oh1 pretty soon1 he replied as he left ,bob4 ,thursday was the big day of the ,fair1 and ,bob1 as a special reward for his services1 was permitted to go to the ,fair each day2 in fact1 much of the care of the stock depended on him1 although he was unable to stay in town overnight as he would have liked on account of taking care of the milking4 ,whom should he meet early ,thursday morning1 as he was coming from milking his cows that were on exhibition1 but his father4 ,why1 hello1 ,bob4 ,i was just looking for you4 ,my1 how you have grown4 ,i'd scarcely have known you4 ,how-do-you-do1 dad2 how'd you like to have a drink of good fresh milk8 ',grown on ,brookside ,farm1 ,joseph ,williams1 ,proprietor1' he laughed4 ,fine1 said his father1 whereupon ,bob handed him a glass of rich milk4 ,not as good as ,gurney's1 but pretty good at that1 remarked his father4 ,i've heard about the prizes you and your ,uncle ,joe have won and couldn't help but come in and look you over1 even1 though ,i'm very busy and it was hard to get away4 ,how did you leave mother and the rest of the family8 was ,bob's next inquiry4 ,oh1 they're all well1 ,bob4 ,your mother was sorry she couldn't come with me1 but it was hard for her to get away4 ,how do you like farming8 ,oh1 ,i like farming very much and ,i want to be a farmer4 ,you know1 there are lots of interesting things to do on a farm1 dad4 ,by the way1 ,i met a friend of yours1 ,bob--,john ,white1 of the ,first ,national ,bank4 ,he was telling me all about the things you've been doing on the old place4 ,he says you even have a name for it4 ,why1 yes2 didn't you see it on the exhibits8 ,we're going to sell everything under a trade name1 just like thread and other things that have names4 ,how much do you weigh now1 ,bob8 ,i weight #acg pounds2 that is #bg pounds more than when ,i went to the farm1 and ,i'm two inches taller4 ,i should say you have been growing1 ,bob4 ,has your ,uncle ,joe paid you yet for your year's work8 ,no1 he hasn't2 but he will when he gets 'round to it4 ,you see1 he hasn't sold his crops yet4 ,how much do you think he will give you1 ,bob8 ,i don't know1 but ,i think he'll be fair4 ,aunt ,bettie will see to that1 if he should forget it himself4 ,if you come along with me1 ,i'll show you how many prize winners we have1 and he proudly took his father from one exhibit to another1 all the time telling him of the permanent improvements they were making on the farm4 ,you must come out to the farm to-night and see the place4 ,you have no idea what it looks like with the old barn gone and nearly all the concrete buildings up4 ,you can see the big silo ever so far away4 ,of course1 the biggest change is the taking away of the pond4 ,just look at that corn standing there--that's what we got out of the old pond where you taught me to swim4 ,we got over #aj tons per acre of ensilage1 after leaving several hundred bushels from the field from which to select our seed4 ,you can see for yourself what fine-looking corn it is4 ,just look at those big ears there1 and all that fifteen acres raised before was muskrats and turtles4 ,you're right1 ,bob1 it was a ',hidden ,treasure'4 ,after the speed trials were over ,bob milked his cows again1 and with his father drove out to ,brookside ,farm4 ,my1 it certainly doesn't look like the old place1 ,bob1 his father remarked1 when they came in sight of the farm4 ,what a fine fence2 are those stone posts1 ,bob8 ,no1 dad1 they're concrete1 but will last just as long as stone4 ,bob now stopped the car to give his father time to see all the changes4 ,why1 the sawmill's gone too1 ,bob4 ,yes1 he replied1 we'll drive down that way and go in at the lower gate4 ,it was hard for ,bob's father to understand the reason for all the buildings and what conditions had made them different sizes and shapes4 ,he did not know until ,bob explained to him that each building required special designing to suit certain conditions4 ,that night they sang the ,happy ,farmer song for him1 and his father sat up long after the others had retired1 talking to his brother ,joe4 ,on the way home from the ,fair on ,friday afternoon1 the animals from ,brookside ,farm fell in behind those of the ,wallace ,farm4 ,alex ,wallace was looking after their flock of ,merino sheep1 in which there was an old buck1 and had with him their ,scotch collie dog ,don4 ,bob was looking after his flock of ,southdown sheep1 which he had driven close behind ,alex1 so the boys could talk to each other back and forth as they went along4 ,after a while ,alex got tired turning his head around to hear what ,bob had to say1 for the noise of the clattering feet of the sheep on the concrete road made it difficult for him to hear1 so he left his dog ,don between the two flocks and came back and joined ,bob4 ,they proceeded thus for about a quarter of a mile when suddenly ,jerry1 the ,southdown buck of ,bob's flock1 started forward and all the others followed1 so that the two flocks became merged into one4 ,as ,bob rushed forward to separate them1 the two bucks stepped up to each other and placed their heads together1 when ,alex1 seeing ,bob trying to separate them1 shouted3 ,that's right1 ,bob1 take your big fellow away or mine will kill him4 ,the remark angered ,bob1 whereupon he ceased his efforts and said3 ,well1 if you think that little runt of yours can kill ours1 ,i guess we had better let them fight it out4 ,all right1 said ,alex2 ,i'm satisfied4 ,so the two boys stood still while the two bucks placed their heads together1 then stepped slowly backwards until they were on opposite sides of the road1 where they stood looking at each other4 ,the ewes crowded back and left an open space between them and stood as intently interested as the boys1 waiting the coming battle4 ,after the bucks had paused for a moment1 they lowered their heads and rushed at each other4 ,now1 it must be remembered that a ,southdown buck stands very much higher than one of the ,merino breed1 which is rather short in the legs and set close to the ground4 ,also that the ,southdown had been used to associating with sheep of his own size2 consequently when he lowered his head to strike1 he did not take into account that the ,merino was so much lower than himself4 ,this gave the ,merino the advantage1 and1 instead of the ,merino striking his adversary on the hard skull as the latter expected he would do1 he struck him on the point of the nose1 breaking ,jerry's neck4 ,both boys were horrified to see ,bob's prize-winning buck lying dead in the road1 and while they looked at him speechless1 ,tony1 who was coming along behind with some of the cattle1 rushed forward and quickly turned him into mutton1 while ,bob with a heavy heart went on to the farm with the others4 ,it was not necessary for ,bob to explain the fight to his uncle1 who came along the road shortly behind him and to whom ,tony explained the accident4 ,it's all right1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 as he drove up into the barnyard4 ,i know just how you felt when ,alex ,wallace challenged you to let them fight1 and while ,i'm sorry ,jerry is dead1 still ,i think if ,i had been there myself1 ,i would have taken up his dare1 just as you did4 ,you know ,brookside ,farm has a reputation to maintain1 and1 while ,i don't believe in quarreling1 still this was a case where ,i think you were justified in letting them scrap it out4 ,at any rate1 we've had such a profitable year at ,brookside1 ,i guess we can afford to charge ,jerry to the profit and loss account4 ,he has not been exactly a gross loss4 ,tony has turned him into mutton1 and1 as soon as ,i get the cattle stowed away1 ,i'm going back for him4 ,as soon as the ,fair was over and all returned to the farm1 they started in to dig their potatoes4 ,joe ,williams expected a good yield from the field1 but he was surprised when he found that from the seven acres he obtained #adjj bushels1 which was considerably more than he thought was possible4 ,to lessen the work1 a potato plow was used to dig them1 and they were graded by machinery in the field4 ,the new concrete root cellar had been completed just a few days before and the potatoes were taken there and put into bins4 ,do you know what ,i think1 ,uncle ,joe8 said ,bob one evening at supper1 after the potatoes had all been gathered4 ,what have you thought of now8 asked his uncle laughing1 for since his crop had turned out so well and he had won so many prizes at the ,fair1 ,joe ,williams was very happy4 ,i think if we would take our seven-acre potato field and put in an overhead sprinkler system1 and put plenty of manure on it next year1 we could increase the yield from #adjj bushels to #dbjj bushels4 ,how could it be possible to get that many potatoes out of seven acres of ground1 ,bob8 asked his uncle incredulously4 ,well1 ,i've been reading of a farm in ,new ,jersey where they do that1 and they got #ifj per acre for the potatoes1 which were only one of three crops raised on the ground the same year4 ,if that's so1 ,bob1 why wouldn't it pay to plant the whole farm in potatoes8 ,well1 maybe it would1 ,uncle ,joe1 at least several of the fields4 ,the story of the farm ,i was reading about said they put on one hundred tons of manure1 worth #b4ej per ton1 on each acre of ground4 ,what6 said his uncle2 #bej worth of manure on each acre4 ,that wouldn't be possible4 ,well1 that's what the paper said--plenty of water and plenty of manure1 and the crops take care of themselves4 ,that's right1 ,joe1 said his wife4 ,bob showed me the same article4 ,the farm averaged over #bjjj per acre and ,i think it would be a good idea to buy the outfit next year1 ,joe4 ,the same as our growing of vegetables under glass4 ,i'm very much interested in growing vegetables out of season--there isn't much work to do in winter and we can easily take care of them1 and in that way we may find we could make more money on less ground than by doing general farming4 ,well1 it's worth looking into1 said her husband4 ,all of our things so far have panned out pretty good and ,i'm not willing to pass up anything now without giving it a thorough investigation4 ,by the way1 ,bettie1 don't you think we ought to put an orchard on ',old ,round ,top8' ,that's one field we can't very well plow4 ,what had you thought of planting1 ,joe8 ,i thought peaches would be a good crop there--peaches ought to do well on the south slope4 ,well1 you know a peach orchard doesn't live very long and it's rather a fickle crop1 she replied4 ,i tell you what ,i was thinking of1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob4 ,what's that8 asked his uncle4 ,planting it with peaches with black walnut trees in between4 ,what do you want with black walnuts8 asked ,bob's uncle4 ,well1 when the trees are grown1 you have the walnuts1 and when the trees get older black walnut timber1 which is very valuable4 ,a hill such as ,round ,top that isn't much good for anything else1 would raise good black walnut timber4 ,of course1 you'd have to dynamite the holes good and deep where you put the trees1 so they'd have no trouble getting good roots4 ,once they were well started1 ,i don't think there'd be any trouble with them4 ,i hadn't thought of that1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 but ,i guess we had better look into it4 ,by the time the peach trees were dead1 the walnut trees would have a good start4 ,how many trees will it take to plant it8 ,i figure if we took the whole twelve acres1 it would require twelve hundred peach trees1 said ,bob4 ,but that would be a good many peach trees to take care of1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,yes1 but we won't be building any concrete buildings by the time they begin bearing1 so why not plant it all in peach trees with the black walnuts in between1 as you say8 ,i'll have ,edith write to a grower to-night1 if you wish1 ,joe1 and find what the peaches will cost1 said his wife4 ,how about the black walnuts8 asked ,bob4 ,shall we plant the trees or nuts8 ,i think we had better plant nuts and let them grow themselves4 ,we can stick a lot of them between the peach trees and1 of course1 the peach trees will be dead long before the walnuts get to be any size4 ,much to the regret of every one1 two days later ,ruth and ,edith said good-by to ,brookside ,farm and went back to their ,new ,england homes4 ,they had intended to stay a few weeks longer1 but a telegram from ,edith's father saying her mother had been taken suddenly ill and needed her1 caused them to decide that they should return at once4 ,when ,bob came back from an inspection trip with ,john ,white and the ,county ,commissioners over the new concrete road1 they had packed their trunks and were ready to leave for the afternoon train4 ,he drove the girls and their ,aunt ,bettie to town in the car and was particularly depressed when he said good-by at the station--somehow or other they had become part of the life at ,brookside ,farm1 and now that they were going he began to realize how much he would miss them4 ,even the good- natured ,ruth1 in her impetuous way and ability to get into trouble1 had added much to the life on the farm4 ,edith was very quiet all the way to the station1 and ,bob could not tell whether it was worrying over the possible illness of her mother or her disappointment in having to return so soon1 or maybe1 as he hoped1 it was for another reason she was silent--at any rate1 she had little to say to him as he bid her good-by1 but just before she ascended the steps of the train1 when1 for a second1 they looked full into each others' eyes1 he seemed to feel that perhaps he was right in attributing it to that reason4 ,so the girls went on their way and ,bob went back to work4 ,,xxiii ,,christmas ,,at ,,brookside ,,farm ,one evening a few days before ,thanksgiving1 shortly after they had moved into the new house1 ,bob sat before the open fire talking with his aunt and uncle1 when the latter said3 ,bob1 it's just a little over nine months since you came to live with us and turned our farm upside down1 digging after ',hidden ,treasure4' ,do you remember the ,sunday we let the water out of the old pond8 ,yes1 ,i do1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,do you remember the conversation you and ,i had that day8 ,i haven't forgotten that either1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob with a smile4 ,well1 it's getting around kind of close to payday1 don't you think1 ,bob8 ,oh1 ,i don't need any money1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,i received #bej for my honey this fall1 and ,i haven't spent very much yet4 ,that's no reason why you should not be paid just the same4 ,you've done your work4 ,i don't know what you feel you've earned1 but what would you say if ,i gave you #edj--that's at the rate of #fj per month with board4 ,do you mean to pay me in money1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,of course1 in money4 ,i don't suppose you want to take it out in sand and gravel1 do you8 ,no1 ,uncle ,joe1 of course not2 but do you think ,i've earned that much money1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,yes1 and more1 but that's as much as ,i feel ,i can pay you1 and if you stay with us another year1 and we prosper as well as we did this year1 what do you say to calling it #ge per month with board8 ,that'll be splendid1 ,uncle ,joe1 and ,i'll be perfectly satisfied4 ,all right1 said his uncle1 then it's a bargain1 and here's your check for the money1 and he handed him a check already made out and drawn to his order for #edj4 ,thank you1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob1 looking first at the check and then at his aunt and uncle in turn4 ,i hope you both feel ,i've earned it all4 ,oh1 yes1 you've earned it all right1 ,bob2 don't worry about that1 said his uncle4 ,if ,i were you1 said his aunt1 ,i'd stop in at ,bush ,company1 tailors1 and have a couple of nice suits of clothes made--a specially good one for ,sunday and another one for general dress-up wear4 ,you should have a new overcoat1 too1 and some other nice things4 ,you're nineteen years old now1 ,bob1 and you've been working pretty hard this summer1 and not paying much attention to your clothes4 ,we'll like you just as well in your old clothes as we will in the new ones1 but while you're a farmer1 that's no reason why you should not have some good clothes1 the same as other boys4 ,you know1 ,brookside ,farm has established a reputation1 and while ,i don't believe in wasting money on clothes1 ,i think we should all be dressed comfortably and be neat4 ,all right1 ,aunt ,bettie1 ,i'll be going to town to-morrow and ,i'll take care of it4 ,time flew quickly at ,brookside ,farm1 while they hurried to finish their concrete buildings and get their new fences up before the ground froze up solidly4 ,after this was done1 ,joe ,williams fixed up a lot of wire racks to take care of his seed corn1 and carefully winnowed out his prize oats for good fertile seed4 ,the chickens1 too1 claimed considerable of their combined attention4 ,now that ,edith had gone they both began to realize how much help she had been in her quiet way and the many things she had done while there4 ,bob kept hoping she might be able to return the coming year1 although the letters she wrote gave him no encouragement to hope4 ,merry ,christmas1 ,bob1 called his aunt1 as he came in from doing his chores on ,christmas morning1 and she handed him a handsome gold watch and chain4 ,merry ,christmas1 ,aunt ,bettie1 he replied4 ,who is this from8 ,that's from your ,uncle ,joe and me1 said his aunt1 and a ,merry ,christmas ,i think it should be1 for ,i heard your uncle say yesterday that you finished the last foot of wire fence and that all the concrete work was done1 except some garden furniture4 ,it has certainly been a busy year for you1 ,bob1 continued his aunt2 when ,i think of all that has been accomplished1 it seems almost inconceivable how we changed the old place in such a short time1 and how much more comfortable we are now than when ,i first came to the farm in ,april4 ,do you know1 ,bob1 one of the nicest buildings we have on the farm is ,tony's little cottage down by the pond4 ,i am never tired of looking at it4 ,it is a handsome building1 ,aunt ,bettie1 down there under those big elm trees1 said ,bob1 and with the pond back of it1 it has a very homelike appearance4 ,what are you planning to do this winter1 ,bob1 now that the concrete work is practically all done8 she asked4 ,well1 ,i was thinking1 ,aunt ,bettie1 now that ,brookside has shown its earning capacity1 that we might get the pipe ready for the overhead irrigation system in the field over by the main road1 and build a pump house down near the pond4 ,the more ,i read and think of intensive cultivating1 the more ,i believe there's a lot of money can be made by this method4 ,of course1 if we don't want to raise potatoes1 we could easily raise celery or other vegetables1 and you know we can get four crops a year off the ground instead of one1 if we plant it right1 and fertilize it heavy enough4 ,we'll do no work to-day1 ,bob1 for this is a holiday1 so we'll just have a good time4 ,did you get your new clothes from the tailor8 ,yes1 ,i got them last night4 ,maybe ,i'll dress up to-day just to see how they look1 he added1 smiling back at her4 ,why are we having such a large table for ,christmas dinner1 ,aunt ,bettie8 he asked a little later in the morning1 as he passed through the dining room and saw the table extended to an unusual size4 ,i didn't know but some one might drop in for dinner on ,christmas1 said his aunt evasively4 ,why1 is there some one coming1 ,aunt ,bettie8 he asked4 ,you just wait and see1 spoke up his uncle1 who came into the room4 ,all right1 said ,bob2 ,i guess ,i'll have to wait4 ,that reminds me1 said his uncle1 winking at his wife4 ,i forgot something in town that ,i was to bring out4 ,john ,white asked me to stop around at the bank1 so ,i'll have to go back--guess ,i'll have time to get in and back again before dinner4 ,we won't have dinner to-day until #ab3cj1 ,joe1 said his wife1 so if you start now you ought to be back easily by that time1 she added smiling4 ,when the new house at ,brookside was planned1 a small room had been built on the first floor to--be used as a sort of an office4 ,in this room a flat-top desk with drawers had been placed and a bookcase to contain all their bulletins and other information had been built at one end in a convenient place4 ,the set of books containing the cost accounting system of the farm was kept in this desk4 ,in this room ,bob also kept a small draughting board and his instruments4 ,at odd times he sketched new buildings and other things for the improvement of the farm4 ,he now went to this room and began work again on the designs of some garden furniture1 which they were planning to place on the sloping ground in front of the house the following spring4 ,he was busy at work when his attention was attracted by the sound of an automobile coming up the driveway4 ,he looked out of the window as the car flashed past2 he recognized some of the faces1 and rushed out to the porch to great them4 ,there was something very unfamiliar about the car as it came up the driveway4 ,as it drew near he saw the reason1 for instead of the ,ford his uncle had taken to town1 he was now sitting in a new seven- passenger ,buick4 ,in the front seat1 with his uncle1 sat ,bob's father1 and in the back seat was his mother1 with his grandmother and grandfather on either side of her4 ,bob had rushed out bare headed to greet them4 ,he kissed his mother and grandmother and shook hands with the others4 ,well1 what do you think of your ,aunt ,bettie's ,christmas gift1 ,bob8 asked his uncle1 as they got back on the porch and turned around to look at the new car4 ,what do you mean1 ,aunt ,bettie's ,christmas gift8 he asked4 ,the new car1 said his uncle4 ,is that her car1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,yes1 ,i just bought it for her--that's her ,christmas gift4 ,isn't it a dandy8 ,whee6 ,it surely is1 said ,bob4 ,does she know yet that you bought it8 ,no1 that's a surprise that's coming to her1 and they both ran into the dining room where she was busy with the dinner1 to escort her out to inspect the car4 ,bob had never seen his aunt so happy as when she inspected the car and his uncle insisted upon her getting into the seat1 as he explained to her the operation of the levers4 ,her eyes were bright with joy when she got out of the car a moment later and went back to her dinner and her guests4 ,it was very kind of you1 ,joe1 to remember me in this way1 and her eyes were suspiciously wet4 ,i feel more than repaid for all the work ,i have done to help you build up ,brookside ,farm4 ,christmas ,day at ,brookside was an event long to be remembered1 for not only had ,bob the pleasure of explaining to his mother and father the work they had been doing all summer and telling them of their plans for the coming year1 but during the afternoon a large auto truck arrived at the house and unloaded a fine piano and victrola1 the latter with a dozen well-selected records4 ,his aunt couldn't believe her eyes when this second ,christmas present arrived4 ,the only satisfaction she could get from her husband was that he and ,john ,white had talked it over and decided that they needed some music at ,brookside to brighten their evenings4 ,after supper that night1 his ,aunt ,bettie sat down at the piano and began to play4 ,it was only a few minutes before they were all gathered around the piano singing4 ,naturally1 the first song was ,edith's ,happy ,farmer2 they were just in the midst of the song when the door opened and in walked ,tony and ,maria4 ,after a few minutes' interruption1 they started singing again--,tony and his wife joining in with the others4 ,once the singing started there was no stopping them and for several hours they sang song after song4 ,it was really the first time since ,brookside ,farm had become a reality1 that they had a chance to let each other know just how happy they felt1 as they gave vent to their feelings in song4 ,i'm only sorry1 said ,bob's aunt1 that my own father and mother couldn't have lived to see the happiness and joy that has come to us4 ,this has been the happiest ,christmas ,day ,i have ever spent4 ,bob6 called his uncle4 ,come here a minute4 ,i almost forgot to give you something4 ,here's a letter that ,john ,white asked me to deliver to you4 ,bob took the letter1 read it and then re-read it1 his face a puzzle4 ,what is it8 asked his uncle smiling4 ,i don't know1 said ,bob2 it's a peculiar kind of a letter1 and ,i don't understand it at all4 ,let me see it1 asked his father1 and ,bob handed him the letter4 ,after looking at it a moment1 he read aloud3 ,this is to certify that we have this day bought the sixty acres of land adjoining ,brookside ,farm1 on the east1 for the sum of ,eighteen ,hundred ,dollars 7#ahjj71 to be held in trust for ,robert ,williams1 and to be turned over to him whenever he wishes to take possession4 ,the sum of #ahjj1 the purchase price1 to be paid to the ,first ,national ,bank at his convenience and draw six per cent4 interest until paid4 ,the first payment of ,one ,hundred ,dollars 7#ajj7 on account1 is hereby acknowledged4 7,signed71 ,the ,first ,national ,bank1 ,john ,white1 ,president4 ,what does it mean1 ,uncle ,joe8 asked ,bob1 looking at his uncle1 who was smiling across at him4 ,well1 it simply means this1 ,bob3 ,john ,white wanted to make sure when you got ready to buy a farm that there'd be one waiting for you4 ,he persuaded ,bruce ,wallace to sell him his sixty acres adjoining ,brookside on the east4 ,he said he wanted you to have the land next to ,brookside4 ,that was the only piece that had the proper exposure and good water2 besides this1 he pointed out that the water from our pond runs through this also1 and that there is a place there where you can have a pond of your own1 if you want it4 ,what about the #ajj on account1 ,uncle ,joe8 asked ,bob4 ,oh1 laughed his uncle1 that's your ,christmas gift from ,john ,white4 ,bob was silent while he tried to realize the full purport of the letter4 ,then he suddenly said3 ,i've no money to buy a farm1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,he doesn't say that you have to take it up right away1 or that you have to pay for it by any particular time4 ,you see1 ,bob1 since the new concrete road has been built1 farms are soon going to advance in price and he wanted you to have the advantage of buying yours at the original price4 ,he feels you are largely responsible for the improvements that have been made in this section and that you should benefit by them4 ,i guess we'll have to sing ,edith's ',happy ,farmer' song again1 said ,bob's aunt1 as she seated herself at the piano and struck up the familiar air1 in which they all joined with a will4 ,,xxiv ,,cost ,,accounting ,shortly after ,christmas1 ,tony came to ,joe ,williams and explained that his brother1 who was then visiting them1 would like to stay at ,brookside and work4 ,as ,tony had given eminent satisfaction1 and his brother seemed to be a capable young man1 he was engaged to look after the dairy4 ,in ,february ,bob had taken two weeks off4 ,he had gone to visit his father and mother4 ,when he returned he found that many important events had occurred at ,brookside ,farm4 ,who do you think is here8 asked his uncle1 as ,bob came into the sitting room4 ,i don't know1 said ,bob2 unless it's ,edith back again4 ,i believe you're pretty fond of ,edith1 said his uncle1 eyeing him3 suspiciously2 seems to me you two were together a good deal last summer1 come to think of it4 ,well1 isn't she a nice girl1 ,uncle ,joe8 ,she certainly is a fine girl1 ,bob1 and ,i'm sorry to disappoint you1 but it isn't ,edith this time--it's ,joseph ,williams1 ,jr41 said his uncle proudly1 three days old to-day4 ,you don't mean it1 ,uncle ,joe1 exclaimed ,bob4 ,yes1 sir1 ,bob2 twelve pounds on the scale1 and every inch a farmer4 ,we've produced some prize winners at ,brookside ,farm1 ,bob1 but this one heads the list4 ,that's splendid1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,may ,i see him8 ,as soon as we get warm1 ,bob4 ,i wouldn't go into the room until you've had a chance to warm up some4 ,a few minutes later ,bob was conducted to his aunt's room and there was not only allowed to see1 but to hold in his arms1 the heir of ,brookside ,farm4 ,my1 but he's little1 said ,bob4 ,little6 exclaimed his uncle4 ,why1 he's a bouncing big boy4 ,well1 maybe it's the clothes that make him look so small4 ,don't tell us that1 said his uncle1 for we know better4 ,that's what you told me when ,i first came to the farm1 laughed ,bob4 ,that's right4 ,i remember now you did look small1 ,bob1 but you've grown a lot since then4 ,guess he'll grow too1 ,uncle ,joe4 ,everything seems to grow fast on ,brookside4 ,then the baby asserted himself4 ,my1 what a good pair of lungs he has1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob4 ,just see what nice black hair he has1 too1 smiled his ,aunt ,bettie4 ,i tell you what1 said ,bob1 after a moment's thought1 they'll have to go some to get ahead of ,brookside ,farm4 ,this isn't the only thing that has happened since you left1 said his uncle4 ,you ought to go down to ,tony's cottage and see what's been doing there4 ,what8 asked ,bob4 ,oh1 they have the finest little black-haired two-day-old girl you ever saw1 said his aunt4 ,you don't mean it1 said ,bob4 ,tony's so excited1 said his uncle1 that he forgets everything you ask him to do4 ,well1 this is certainly fine news1 said ,bob4 ,i don't suppose ,i dare go down and see her4 ,i think ,i'd wait a day or two if ,i were you1 ,bob1 before going down4 ,bob and his uncle now retired to the sitting room and were talking over the events that had happened while he was away1 when ,alex ,wallace dropped in to see them4 ,how's the new boy1 ,joe8 asked ,alex4 ,he's fine1 ,alex--greatest prize winner at ,brookside ,farm4 ,where have you been1 ,bob8 asked ,alex4 ,i've been visiting my father and mother1 said ,bob4 ,i came over to see about the ice1 ,joe1 said ,alex4 ,i suppose1 since you've made the improvements at ,brookside1 we can't go down to the pond and help ourselves any more4 ,you had better talk that over with ,bob1 said his uncle1 as the baby began to cry and he left them to see what was happening to it4 ,that's right1 said ,bob2 we pay for everything we get and charge for everything that goes off the farm4 ,you don't mean you're going to charge for ice6 exclaimed ,alex almost incredulously4 ,well1 why not8 said ,bob4 ,it's worth something1 isn't it8 ,the pond cost us money and occupies ground that could be used for other purposes4 ,that's so1 said ,alex4 ,i hadn't thought of that4 ,the pond has to pay rent for the ground1 and ice is one of the things it produces4 ,what does ice bring this winter8 asked ,alex4 ,fifty cents per ton on the water1 said ,bob1 and you cut it yourself4 ,how can you tell how much it takes to make a ton8 asked ,alex4 ,oh1 that's easy1 said ,bob4 ,you measure the size of the cakes1 and1 when you know the thickness1 you can refer to a schedule in one of the bulletins and that will tell you exactly how much it weighs4 ,well1 ,i don't think my father will be willing to pay for ice1 said ,alex4 ,why not8 said ,bob4 ,it's worth something4 ,yes1 but nobody charges for ice1 said ,alex4 ,well1 of course1 if you know of any one who has nice ice to give away1 that's the place to get it1 said ,bob1 but if you want ice from ,brookside1 you better let us know soon1 because three or four people are asking for the full cutting of the pond1 and1 of course1 we want to fill our own icehouse first1 and after that--first come1 first served4 ,you had better hold it for us1 ,bob1 until ,i find out4 ,you'll have to make up your mind whether you want it or not2 there's the telephone--call up your father and see what he says4 ,after a few minutes talk with his father1 ,alex came out of the office and said3 ,we'll take it1 ,bob4 ,put us down for the first cutting after you get your own off4 ,i think it will take a full cutting of the entire pond to fill our icehouse4 ,there's another thing ,i was going to ask you about1 too4 ,could we have ,tony a while to help us with some concrete work8 ,what are you going to build1 ,alex8 asked ,bob4 ,oh1 we want to make some concrete fence posts1 and fence in our property4 ,since father sold the sixty-acre farm to the ,first ,national ,bank we thought we'd improve the remaining hundred and forty by putting up a wire fence on concrete posts4 ,you'd have to put up a shed and get some moulds and all that sort of thing1 said ,bob4 ,why not let us sell you posts8 ,will you sell us some8 asked ,alex4 ,surely1 said ,bob4 ,tony has been making a lot of fence posts this winter4 ,we're going to make a regular business4 ,how much will they cost us8 asked ,alex4 ,seventy-five cents at the pit and you can haul them yourselves4 ,i'll speak to father about it and see what he says4 ,he rather thought1 though1 we'd make them ourselves4 ,just as you like1 said ,bob4 ,the posts will cost you less if you make them yourselves and you'll have the advantage1 when the shed is once up1 you can make all kinds of things4 ,i think that's what we'd rather do4 ,i'd like to work in cement myself4 ,i think it must be very interesting1 and ,i'd like to get father started so we can get some concrete buildings like ,brookside ,farm4 ,you haven't any idea1 ,bob1 how nice your buildings look from over at the turn of the road4 ,oh1 yes1 ,i do4 ,i often stop when ,i'm coming out from town to take a look from that point4 ,how long do you want ,tony8 asked ,bob4 ,we'd like to have him two or three weeks1 said ,alex4 ,that will be all right--we can let him go4 ,the next few weeks ,bob spent sharpening up their tools1 oiling the machines and touching up the paint on those that showed wear4 ,as soon as this was completed1 he began making fifty additional concrete apiaries4 ,the bees had paid so well the previous year that he decided to increase their number to one hundred colonies4 ,another thing that caused him to arrive at this decision was a letter from ,edith1 a few days before1 saying she had her mother's permission to return to ,brookside in the early spring and that she would again spend the summer with them4 ,do you know what day this is1 ,bob8 asked his uncle a few weeks later1 as they sat down to breakfast4 ,it's ,thursday1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob4 ,yes1 ,thursday1 ,march first1 and it will be just one year to-morrow since you came to ,brookside ,farm4 ,your ,aunt ,bettie and ,i've been talking it over and we've decided we should take our inventory to-day and balance our books to-night1 and see how much we've made or lost during the year1 he added smiling4 ,bettie thinks it's better to take inventory on ,march first instead of ,april first1 so that all the labor that goes on the spring plowing may be charged in the new year4 ,as soon as we have our breakfast1 ,bob1 we'll go to the barn and take a careful inventory of all the grain1 live stock1 poultry and other products4 ,it took them until four o'clock in the afternoon to make the inventory1 which was then laid aside until after supper1 when they would figure out the amount and compare the results with the previous year4 ,they had just sat down to supper when the door of the dining room was suddenly opened and there stood ,ruth and ,edith1 cheeks aglow and eyes sparkling4 ,where in the world did you girls come from8 asked their aunt1 who was the first to see them4 ,oh1 we came in on the afternoon train1 laughed ,ruth1 and we got ,henry ,smith to drive us out4 ,we wanted to surprise you4 ,well1 you certainly have1 said their uncle1 as they all crowded around to welcome them back to ,brookside ,farm4 ,where's your new farmhand1 ,aunt ,bettie8 asked ,ruth4 ,i want to see him4 ,her aunt looked puzzled for a moment and then said3 ,he's around somewhere if you'd like to see him1 but why are you so anxious to see him1 ,ruth8 ,he's ,tony's brother1 you know4 ,oh1 ,i mean ,joseph ,williams1 ,jr41 exclaimed ,ruth excitedly4 ,oh1 he's asleep upstairs1 said her aunt2 you may see him directly1 but you must have something to eat first4 ,their wraps were soon removed4 ,a few minutes later happenings on ,brookside ,farm were intermingled with happenings in ,new ,england1 as they asked and answered each others' questions4 ,after supper was over and while the girls were inspecting the new baby1 ,bob and his uncle sat in the office and figured out the inventory4 ,bob was just completing the written statement of the account1 when his aunt and the two girls came into the office4 ,have you the inventory finished yet8 asked his aunt4 ,just finished1 he said1 laying down the sheet4 ,then we're just in time1 said ,edith1 for that's why we planned to reach here to-day2 we wanted to know the result of the year's work1 and ,i'm sure it must be a good report4 ,,inventory ,,april #ae1 ,,march #a1 ,,item #aiaf #aiag ,farm1 #abe acres4444444444444444444444444444#f1jjj4 jj #f1jjj4jj ,new ,buildings444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444#bj1jjj4jj ,cows3 #aj head #age 44444444444444444444444444444#a1gej4jj #a1ejj4jj #h head #fj 444444444444444444444444444444444#dhj4jj ,heifers1 #e head #ej444444444444444444444444444444444444b ej4jj ,bulls3 #a head #cej 44444444444444444444444444444444#cej4jj #cej4jj #a head #ge 4444444444444444444444444444444444#ge4jj ,calves1 #d head #aj444444444444444444444444444dj4jj ,horses3 #b head #cej 44444444444444444444444444444444#gjj4jj #fjj4jj #b head #bjj 44444444444444444444444444444444#djj4jj ,colts1 #b head #bjj44444444444444444444444444djj4jj ,hogs3 #e head #dj 444444444444444444444444444444444#bjj4jj #aej4jj #f head #cj 444444444444444444444444444444444#ahj4jj #h head #be 444444444444444444444444444444444#bjj4jj #a head #ge 4444444444444444444444444444444444#ge4jj ,sheep1 #ab head #bj44444444444444444444444444bdj4jj #bdj4jj ,chickens 44444444444444444444444444444444444444#e j4jj #eej4jj ,machinery and ,tools444444444444444444444444444#abe4jj #e1jjj4jj ,automobile44444444444444444444444444444 4444444#ddj4jj #a1djj4jj ,feed and ,supplies44444444444444444444444444444#c jj4jj #eff4jj ,growing ,crops 7,labor and ,seed744444444444444444#hj4jj #aej4jj ,cash44444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444#aaj4jj #c1gbe4jj ,bills ,receivable44444444444444444444444444444 44#ge4jj #a1bge4jj ,seed on ,hand4444444444444444444444444444444444# fjj4jj ,ice 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444 444#fj4jj ,wood 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4#bjj4jj ,total ,resources444444444444444444444444444#aa 1ebj4jj #dc1cff4jj ,mortgage and ,bills ,payable444444444444444444#f1jjj4jj #ca1ejj4jj ,net ,worth4444444444444444444444444444444444 #e1fbj4jj #aa1hff4jj ,gain for the ,year444444444444444444444444444#f1bdf4j j #aa1hff4jj #aa1hff4jj ,her aunt picked up the sheet and read it over carefully and said3 ,the farm shows a gross earning of #ab1dbj for the new year1 and after paying the interest on the mortgage and loans of #ahfj2 #bjjj for wages and #bbad for new furniture1 piano1 victrola and new automobile1 a total of #fjgd1 it still leaves a balance #fcdf1 as a net gain1 and that without counting the earnings from the sand pit4 ,our new buildings and fencing cost us #bj1jjj1 and our new machinery and tools #ejjj4 ,the farm shows a profit of #abd per acre for the ground under cultivation4 ,if we do as well this coming year as we did last year1 we ought to have the farm free and clear1 but1 of course1 we won't have to depend on that as we have the earnings from the sand pit to help out1 if we want to use it for that purpose1 but instead of paying off the mortgage in full1 ,i think we will irrigate the seven acres along the main road and put that field under intensive cultivation4 ,we ought to do a great deal better next year1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob1 as we won't have the buildings to bother with and ,i can devote all my time to the work2 then we ought to be able to do a great deal more work1 too1 on account of the saving of time1 due to having modern buildings and all our power installed1 which we didn't have for the full season last year4 ,they studied the inventory for some minutes1 comparing the gross earnings per acre of one crop with another1 and were very much surprised to find that in many cases crops they had previously thought to be quite profitable showed up in the schedule rather poorly by comparison with others4 ,why1 the oats seem to have earned only #ba per acre1 while the corn shows an earning of #dd per acre--more than twice as much as the oats1 said ,edith4 ,you know1 ,edith1 said her uncle1 that after the oats were taken off we pastured sixty pigs in the oat stubble for the balance of the summer4 ,of course1 that must be credited up to the oat field1 because the crop made it possible to raise the rape and afford a good pasture for them4 ,oh1 ,i hadn't thought of that1 said ,edith4 ,the apples paid well1 said ,ruth2 almost #adj per acre1 and we were just starting our new system of selling by mail4 ,of course1 last year we had an exceptionally nice crop1 said their aunt1 which was partly due1 no doubt1 to ,bob's bees1 and ,i think some credit should be given to the dynamiting of the land4 ,next year ,i'm sure we can sell every apple raised at a good price4 ,did we make #dcj out of pigs last year8 asked ,ruth1 looking at the hog account4 ,that's what we did1 laughed her uncle4 ,i had no idea so much money could be made raising pigs4 ,well1 that's probably due to two reasons1 said her uncle2 first1 we started with a good breed1 and1 second1 we took good care of them4 ,you see we use a well-lighted and ventilated piggery and were able to average two litters in the year1 which1 of course1 is just twice as good as raising one4 ,then we were fortunate in having good litters4 ,we raised eight pigs per litter1 which is beyond the average4 ,of course1 ,uncle ,joe1 ,brookside ,farm is no 'average' farm1 and we ought to do better than average farming1 she said4 ,yes1 ,ruth1 but it takes work and study to do that and the information that is in the bulletins must be transferred into our heads if we're going to work successfully4 ,hearing his wife chuckle1 ,williams looked up and said3 ,well1 now1 ,bettie1 what are you laughing at8 ,i was just thinking of our conference a year ago when we made up our first inventory4 ,i was the school teacher then1 but ,i've evidently lost my position1 for you are now the teacher of modern methods1 ,joe1 said his wife4 ,and why not8 ,haven't you a job now that's big enough for any woman1 looking after that son of ours8 ,well1 ,i guess that will take some of my time1 ,joe1 she laughed1 but just the same ,i'm pleased to know you're so interested in scientific investigation4 ,the potatoes paid #agj per acre1 said ,edith1 which is the highest rate per acre of all4 ,the wheat averaged well1 too1 said ,joe ,williams1 a little over #da per acre4 ,i'm sorry we didn't have a larger acreage in hay--this statement shows an earning of over #ej per acre4 ,that's so1 said ,bob1 but the dairy has earned a larger amount than any of the rest1 for after deducting all expenses it shows a clear profit of #bied4 ,the poultry made a good showing1 too1 ,i want you to observe1 said ,edith2 #acgc isn't bad for a flock of chickens1 ,i'd have you know1 and remember1 we were only making our start last year4 ,one person could handle #ajjj hens just as easily as #ejj1 and the profit would be relatively larger4 ,i'm sure the poultry will beat the dairy this coming year4 ,but look at ,bob's ',hidden ,treasure' here1 smiled ,joe ,williams2 #djj worth of ice off that little pond1 and to think we allowed the neighbors to take away all they wanted for nothing in previous years4 ,speaking of ',hidden ,treasure1' don't forget the #cjj we got for cord wood from the old rail fences1 ,uncle ,joe1 said ,bob4 ,they've all made a good showing1 said his aunt1 and ,i think next year we can make the farm average #aej per acre or better4 ,it certainly is a good report1 said ,bob1 and ,i think we all should be very happy that our combined efforts have produced such fine results4 ,by the way1 ,bob1 said his uncle1 when ,i settled with you last ,november1 ,i paid you up to only ,november first1 so here's a check for #bbe for your wages to date4 ,i figured it out at the new rate rather than the old one4 ,hereafter1 ,i'll give you a check on the first day of each month4 ,bob took the check and looked at it4 ,then he discovered that he had not one check1 but two4 ,why1 who is this other check for1 ,uncle ,joe8 he asked1 handing back the second one4 ,that's for you1 too1 ,bob4 ,you don't owe me this money1 ,uncle ,joe1 he said1 looking at the check4 ,yes1 ,i do1 ,bob4 ,do you remember the day we let the water out of the pond8 ,but we took that into account when you paid me in ,november4 ,oh1 no1 ,bob1 ,i didn't4 ,i just paid you for your actual work then1 not for any ideas you furnished4 ,this is for the suggestions you furnished4 ,it was you who suggested the draining of the pond and the selling of the sand and gravel--and more than that1 you saved me several thousand dollars by advising me not to sell the sand pit to ,brady when ,i needed a little money so badly4 ,now1 ,i'm paying you what ,i think is yours by right4 ,i couldn't think of taking any money from you for that kind of work1 ,uncle ,joe1 persisted ,bob4 ,your ,aunt ,bettie1 ,john ,white and ,i have talked it over1 ,bob1 and we felt that one-third of the money earned by the sand pit should be paid to you4 ,our records show that after paying ,duncan ,wallace and a few other charges1 the pit has earned a little over #ijjj1 and one-third of this1 or your share1 is #cjjj1 so you must take the check for that amount1 ,bob4 ,why1 that would more than pay for the sixty acres ,john ,white is holding in trust for me1 said ,bob1 realizing for the first time what so much money actually meant4 ,of course1 laughed his uncle1 that's why he bought it4 ,he and ,i talked this matter over before ,christmas and we decided that that was the best way to arrange it4 ,all you need to do now is to deposit this check and draw one in favor of the ,first ,national ,bank for #agjj plus the interest1 and then you can put up a sign on the sixty acres of land adjoining ,brookside1 ',robert ,williams1 ,proprietor4' ,i have a suggestion to make to you1 ,bob1 continued his uncle1 after they had discussed the acquiring of the new farm for some time2 ,i think1 now that the buildings are all up1 we could handle your sixty acres along with ,brookside for a year or two until you get ready to take the farm over for yourself1 and his eyes shifted from ,bob to ,edith1 and back to ,bob again1 as he talked4 ,i think that would be a good arrangement1 ,uncle1 ,joe2 we could use the land for pasturing1 if we couldn't plant it all4 ,let's go into the living room1 said ,ruth1 and have some music4 ,have you seen ,aunt ,bettie's new piano yet1 ,edith8 ,no1 ,i haven't1 said ,edith4 ,oh1 you must see it1 ,edith1 and play it1 too1 and they adjourned to the living room and gathered around the piano1 where for an hour or more they gave expression to their joyful feelings in music4 ,i tell you1 said ,joe ,williams1 as they sang the ,happy ,farmer song1 there's nothing like music to give anyone vent for their feelings4 ,i didn't list the piano in our assets1 but ,i really think it's one of the best we have on the farm1 because it helps to bring us together and keep us happy4 ,may ,i play the victrola a while1 ,aunt ,bettie8 asked ,ruth4 ,if you want to1 said her aunt4 ,how much did you say the poultry brought us last year8 asked ,edith suddenly1 as ,ruth began playing4 ,i don't exactly remember1 said ,bob1 but it's in the book in the office4 ,let's go and take a look at it1 she said1 and they left the others and adjourned to the office4 ,edith sat down in the chair at the desk4 ,bob opened the book at the poultry account1 and1 sitting on the arm of the chair1 their heads close together1 they began studying the figures4 ,i think it's perfectly splendid1 said ,edith1 the showing the poultry made last year1 and you know1 ,bob1 we had a rather bad start in the spring on account of not having the buildings erected4 ,that was your good work1 ,edith1 he said1 letting his arm fall lightly across her shoulders4 ,i was never so happy as last summer here on the farm and ,i could scarcely wait until ,i came back again this spring1 ,bob1 she said1 looking up at him4 ,bob was silent for a few moments1 and then suddenly asked3 ,do you like the country well enough1 ,edith1 to be willing to stay here always1 and be ,mrs4 ,robert ,williams8 ,after a short silence1 ,edith looked at him shyly and said3 ,yes1 ,bob1 ,i would1 nestling close to him4 ,i don't know any place where ,i could be happier than here and ,i've never met anyone with whom ,i could be happier than with you4 ,i've loved you ever since ,i first met you1 ,edith1 he declared1 and ,i'm sure we'll be very happy together1 and ,bob leaned over and kissed the inviting upturned lips4 ,oh6 ,uncle ,joe1 just come here and see what's going on in your office1 shouted ,ruth4 ,bob's kissing ,edith4 ,have you been spying on them1 ,ruth8 remonstrated her aunt4 ,spying on them1 ,aunt ,bettie8 ,how could ,i be spying on them when they left the door wide open and the lights turned on8 ,i couldn't help but see them when ,i looked in4 ,at ,ruth's interruption1 ,bob and ,edith had jumped up from the desk and stood blushing in the doorway leading from the office to the living room4 ,suddenly ,bob took her hand and together they stepped out into the room before the others4 ,let me introduce to you the greatest ',hidden ,treasure' that was ever found on ,brookside ,farm1 the future ,mrs4 ,robert ,williams4