60 THE FAT OF THE 



and I felt sure it was well bestowed. Manuring, 

 turning the sod, pruning, and spraying, ought to 

 give a good crop of fruit next year. 



We had several days of rain during this time, 

 which interfered somewhat with the work, but 

 the rains were gratefully received. I spent much 

 of my time at Four Oaks, often going every day, 

 and never let more than two days pass without 

 spending some hours on the farm. To many of 

 my friends this seemed a waste of time. They 

 said, "Williams is carrying this fad too far, . 

 spending too much time on it." 



Polly did not agree with them, neither did I. 

 Time is precious only as we make it so. To do 

 the wholesome, satisfying thing, without direct 

 or indirect injury to others, is the privilege of 

 every man. To the charge of neglecting my 

 profession I pleaded not guilty, for my profession 

 had dismissed me without so much as saying 

 " By your leave." I was obliged to change my 

 mode of life, and I chose to be a producer rather 

 than a consumer of things produced by others. 

 I was conserving my health, pleasing my wife, 

 and at the same time gratifying a desire which 

 had long possessed me. I have neither apology 

 to make nor regret to record ; for as individuals 

 and as a family we have lived healthier, happier, 

 more wholesome, and more natural lives on the 

 farm than we ever did in the city, and that is 

 saying much. 



