52 Second Annual Report 



our best month with farm sales of $482, cake a Httle over $200 

 brought the sales to $700 ; July $323 ; August $291 and the cake 

 up to $360. Those were our best months. And furthermore 

 the amount of good living for the family. Peas for three 

 months ; celery 8 monthhs in the year ; vegetables of all kinds 

 ill their season are both healthful and economical. True we do 

 not always get the first of the good things. When peas are 

 75c per peck; tomatoes loc per pound, etc., it is quite common 

 to have a scrap going on between Joe, who has charge of the 

 garden, and the cook as to whether the family should have them 

 or not. Joe, who cannot possibly save a dollar for himself, 

 maintaining "dat we sell dose things." The result varies; if it 

 was something near the house, easy for the girl to^ get, we had 

 them ; if she had to depend upon Joe we went without. 



Do we like the business? Yes, as the berries like spring. 

 Who does not long today for the breath of the south wind that 

 shall loosen the icy fetters of the north? Who of us that does 

 not have a God given instinct to get back to the soil? Within 

 a couple of weeks the hotbeds will be under way. From that 

 time there will be something of interest every day on. 



A young man, son of a neighbor, left the farm to become a 

 travelling salesman. He was successful at the business until 

 nervous prostration sent him back to the farm to recover. The 

 good salary tempted him to the position again. Once more he 

 went to pieces. He likes gardening and fruits, but is almost 

 afraid to venture, though he says there was not so much of that 

 salary left after all with expenses out. He says my advice 

 agrees with his inclination, so I think he will be a gardener this 

 spring. 



Two days ago a friend brought a young man to our home. 

 I knew him well, a bookkeeper for years ; his nervous breakdown 

 was the worst I ever saw. Rarely have I seen a man suffering 

 as he suffered. Of course I was quick with my remedy. Come 

 right here and learn to care for our hot beds,, work in the garden 

 and drive my truck wagon. We will make health for you and 

 money for us both. With an inexpressibly sad gesture he raised 

 his hand to his forehead and said he, "I am all gone here. Too 

 late, too late." All this suggestive of the old Greek fable of 

 Ontaene in his struggle with Hercules, as often as thrown to the 

 ground he received strength from his contact with Mother 

 Earth to rise and renew the conflict. 



From school and ball and root she came 



The city's fair, pale daughter; 

 To drink the wine of mountain air, 



Beside the Bear camp Water. ^ 



