254 FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



and I suppose that this accounts for the veg 

 etation that has been saved. But since the 

 sower went forth to sow my grass field, I 

 desire something better. 



The search for water leads me to the well, 

 and this, alas ! is still marked with an inter 

 rogation point. The permanent pump has 

 been put in place and finds a continuous 

 supply. But the supply, though gratefully 

 cool and refreshing to the taste, has still 

 the colour of cafe au lait, and seems to 

 promise a richness which is uncalled for. 

 The interesting question which the future 

 is asked to solve is whether we have struck 

 a quicksand, and if so, whether we shall 

 have to pump out a deposit of some thou 

 sands of cubic yards before we attain a clear 

 and wholesome beverage. 



Down in the marsh the water still stands 

 here and there between the tussocks of 

 coarse grass, notwithstanding the long 

 drought, and on the margin of the meadow 

 there is an unmistakable spring, where the 

 frogs make merry. In an experimental way, 

 therefore, I have begun digging, with the 

 hope of forming a series of small pools, in 

 which pond lilies may float, while cardinal 

 flowers and marshmallows and other deni 

 zens of the low lands make gay the border. 



