The Library of Work and Play: Gardening and Farming. | Page 2

Ellen Eddy Shaw
Next to Albert came George,
frank-faced and bashful, sturdy and loyal. Opposite him red-headed,
stubby Peter sat always on the edge of his chair, always with a bit of a
smile on his face, never talking much, always agreeing good-naturedly.
Beside Peter and at The Chief's left was Jack, who wriggled constantly
like a young eel.
After the boys were seated and quiet, The Chief pushed back his work,
a plan of his summer's garden, leaned back in his chair and said, "I
think first we had better take up your reports." Then he pointed at Jay
who began: "Well, when Albert and I asked father for a piece of the
garden for our very own to work exactly as we pleased this summer,
with no questions asked or answered, he laughed. He said that Albert
wouldn't stick to it a day."
"I will, just the same," shouted out Albert quite red in the face.
"Just keep out of this, Savage, until I get through."
The man laid a restraining hand on Albert's arm and Jay continued:
"But I begged father, and told him we'd always worked for him, and he
might let us try for ourselves. Besides, I told him we'd not shirk his
work. So finally he said we each could have the ten hills in the corn

patch for the experiment, just as you wished. And then--"
"And then," broke in Albert, unable longer to contain himself, "what do
you think he gave us? It's just no use trying, for he gave us an old piece
of land below the barn. It's a regular old swamp; why, water stands
there the whole spring long, and it takes half the summer to dry it out.
Then it gets hard as a brick. Now what is the use of trying on that?"
"We'll take it just the same, and so we told father," continued Jay. "We
have just got to make that old land do something."
The Chief nodded and pointed to George for his report. "Same here,"
began George. "My father wouldn't listen at all at the first; then he said
I might have the hills of corn. He threw in also an old side slope which
he thinks is too poor for any use." George sank back in his chair in a
quite dejected manner.
It was now Jack's turn. "You see," he began at his lightning rate, "we
haven't much land anyway, seeing as we live in the village. I can have
the backyard, such as it is, but that's precious little use. It's never been
used for a garden, and it's full of rock. One of our neighbours says I
may have a piece of her corn patch for my corn, if I'll take care of hers,
too. Of course I took her offer. Just had to."
Peter took his turn last, as usual. "We have no place at our home; too
much lawn, and mother will not have it cut up. Grandfather said I
might have any place I wanted in his garden if I'd really care for it
myself."
"My!" said Albert, "what a snap! Your grandfather has the best garden
land around here. You'll win The Chief's five dollars for the best garden;
you just can't help yourself. I'd like to punch you, Peter, for having
such luck."
Peter smiled a little more broadly. "Fin sorry the garden's so good, but I
can't help it."
"It's all right, Peter," began The Chief; "after all, boys, I believe we are
not having such bad luck. Cheer up! We are going to surprise those
fathers of yours, and have a good time out of it, too. Jay and Albert
have a big problem of draining; George has simply got to put that
sandy slope in shape; it looks as if Jack would have to fill in for his
garden; and Peter--well, some of you may beat Peter yet."
At this last Peter smiled, Jack skilfully tumbled him off his chair and
Albert gave a war whoop. The Chief called his meeting to order again.

"And now, boys, I shall see you each one separately about your garden
problems. Remember, not a word at home, for we are going to surprise
the people. And at our next regular meeting, and at all others this
winter we shall have reports on the manner in which you are going to
get at your work and the way in which you will beat conditions. In this
way we can keep track of each other's work. We must make our plans,
too, on paper, which will help out. We have catalogues to write for,
garden stakes to make, and no end of things will come up. But first you
boys ought to understand a bit more than you do about the
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