40 MY SUMMER IN A GARDEN. 



in. some remote planet. I cannot see, 

 however, that this thought is of the 

 slightest value to us here, any more than 

 weeds are. 



There is another subject which is 

 forced upon my notice. I like neigh 

 bors, and I like chickens ; but I do not 

 think they ought to be united near a 

 garden. Neighbors hens in your gar 

 den are an annoyance. Even if they 

 did not scratch up the corn, and peck 

 the strawberries, and eat the tomatoes, 

 it is not pleasant to see them straddling 

 about in their jerkey, high-stepping, 

 speculative manner, picking inquisitively 

 here and there. It is of no use to tell 

 the neighbor that his hens eat your 

 tomatoes : it makes no impression on 

 him, for the tomatoes are not his. The 

 best way is to casually remark to him 

 that he has a fine lot of chickens, pretty 

 well grown, and that you like spring 



