Gearing Up 



somely admit that, though they " did n't 

 think much of the doctor's ch'ice, to begin 

 with," they are now convinced that " he 

 has got about the likeliest lot on the 

 street." 



People question us about our Willows, 

 and ask whether we are to make a hedge of 

 them or allow them to grow up into trees. 

 "If you allow the Willow-trees to grow 

 up," they ask, "won't they shut off all 

 your view? and if you don't allow them 

 to, won't the labor and trouble of cutting 

 them back every year be serious ? " 



We do mean to let them grow into trees 

 at their own sweet will, at least for the 

 present. The knoll is so high, and the 

 slope of the ground, from the foot of it to 

 the edge of the place, so decided, that our 

 veranda - floor is some twenty -five feet 

 above the level where the Willows are set, 

 so that they can grow for some years to 

 come without becoming an annoyance. 

 They are also quite a long distance away, 

 as the line runs diagonally between us and 

 the meadow. Should they ever become 

 a serious obstruction, polling once in five 

 years, we think, will keep them where we 

 43 



