318 AWAKENING OF ENGLAND. 



suitable spot, I remove the turf very carefully 

 with a large clasp-knife, making a circle of 

 bared soil about eighteen inches diameter. I 

 next prod the ground thus cleared for the 

 depth of eight or nine inches, and remove all 

 large stones, roots, worms, slugs, or deleterious 

 matter that may happen to be present. I 

 then pat the loose earth with my hands, and 

 leave a small hollow in the centre about three 

 inches diameter and from one and a half to 

 two inches deep, having reserved a little soil 

 to fill this hollow after the acorn has been 

 placed in it. I then place the seed gently 

 but firmly at the bottom of the hollow, and 

 cover it to the level of the soil with the earth 

 reserved for the purpose. This I then press 

 down, making sure that the soil touches the 

 acorn on all sides, and I afterwards sprinkle 

 the spot with loose grass to hide all traces of 

 my labour. Finally, I place a few thorns 

 round the spot as a fence. It was my custom 

 at this early part of my journey to address the 

 unwitting acorn, mentally, when I had given 

 the final pat, after the following fashion : 

 * Now, good hap seize thee, little seed ; grow 

 in a manner worthy of thy noble parents and 

 be a delight for many weary men whose light 



