Clearing Up 



and gravel, which now affords a back en- 

 trance to the stable and kitchens. 



The palings of the fence were removed 

 for kindlings, but the posts and rails were 

 left to form a slight boundary until the 

 hedges and tree rows should be fairly 

 established ; the straggling shrubs were 

 trimmed into better shape, the Box-arbor 

 clipped and cleared of weeds, trailing 

 vines were taught once more the use of 

 a trellis, and the grass was mown and 

 raked clean of the last year's rowan. 



Fierce war was made upon the Bur- 

 dock and Mint and Horse-radish that had 

 squatted everywhere on the land ; load 

 after load of the accumulated rubbish of 

 years was buried under the corduroy road, 

 and hidden from view with gravel ; the 

 Pear-trees were carefully pruned and tied 

 up, and the old Grape trellis stiffened with 

 new posts and lattices. 



When all this was done, and it was no 

 brief job, the place took on a civilized air 

 truly surprising, but, like the boy's wash- 

 ing his face, which cost his father a thou- 

 sand dollars, the felling of the first ragged 

 39 



