A LABRADOR SPRING 



narrow lane, fences sometimes consisting of 

 seven or eight bars, was to keep the cattle 

 from the little garden plots of which each 

 house boasted. 



The first of June appeared to be the begin- 

 ning of the spring season with the agricultural- 

 ists of Esquimaux Point, for at this date the 

 tilling of the gardens began. With the aid of 

 broad bladed mattocks, deep furrows were made 

 in the dark peaty and sandy soil, the women 

 working side by side with the men, if haply 

 these latter were not engaged with their boats, 

 and the familiar pictures of French peasantry 

 were at once suggested. The soil is enriched 

 with dark, strong-smelling seaweed brought by 

 boats from the islands, and the seeds planted ; 

 turnips and cabbages, salads, radishes and pota- 

 toes were the chief crops. The rhubarb was just 

 beginning at this date to peep above the 

 ground. 



Near the houses large black pots were often 

 hung for the purpose of washing clothes, and 

 a few open air ovens were to be seen, although 

 the modern stoves had almost entirely crowded 

 out these picturesque relics of the past. 



The fourth of June seemed to be an es- 

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