He
will never be the drudge of soil or of season, for to a large extent he
can control the soil and discount the season. No other following gives
such opportunity for independence and self-balance."
"Almost thou persuadest me to become a farmer," said Kate, as we left
the porch, where I had been admiring my land while I lectured on the
advantages of husbandry.
Polly came out of the rose garden, where she had been examining her
flowers and setting her watch, and said:--
"Kate, you and the grand-girls must stay this month out, anyway. It
seems an age since we saw you last."
"All right, if Dad will agree not to fire farm fancies and figures at me
every time he catches me in an easy-chair."
"I'll promise, but you don't know what you're missing."
Four Oaks looked great, and I was tempted to tramp over every acre of
it, saying to each, "You are mine"; but first I had a little talk with
Thompson.
"Everything has been greased for us this summer," said Thompson. "We got
a bumper crop of hay, and the oats and corn are fine! I allow you've got
fifty-five bushels of oats to the acre in those shocks, and the corn
looks like it stood for more than seventy.
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