270 FIVE ACRES TOO MUCH. 



a quantity, and built a breastwork of bulbs and stalks 

 round my little pets. At this time the sprouts were 

 bare, having been stripped by our remorseless ene 

 mies ; but next morning still another leaf put for 

 ward its claim to recognition somewhat weaker, 

 perhaps, than the earlier ones, but still a leaf. By 

 sundown it was fully developed, and my anxiety can 

 be imagined to learn its fate next day. I was up and 

 dressed by sunrise, and, to my great delight, found 

 the leaf there and no squash-bug. 



The victory was won. The fatal chevaux-de-frise 

 was renewed daily, and proved itself an effectual bar 

 rier to the foe. One leaf followed another ; they in 

 creased in size ; the stalk mounted a few inches, and 

 was secured to a stake. This appeared to be the 

 turning-point of the plant s existence. It suddenly 

 began to grow, and, having exhibited its feebleness 

 in infancy, now commenced to show its strength. In 

 one night it grew a foot, and up it rushed, in a few 

 days, to the top of the stake. There were three 

 plants in all, not far apart, and they had soon climb 

 ed as high as they could on their supports. Huge 

 broad leaves, as large as a straw hat, made their ap 

 pearance. Fresh stakes had to be inserted, and then, 

 when these were covered^ which happened in a few 

 days, still larger ones were substituted. My skill had 



