386 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



for no one is so willing to divide as he who can- 

 not lose by division. To the man who has a 

 plot of ground which he calls his own, division 

 doesn't appeal with any but negative force. 

 Neither should it, until all available lands are 

 occupied. Then he must move up and make 

 room for another man by his side. 



The sales for the quarter ending September 

 30 were as follows : 



96 half-bushel boxes of apples . . $38.00 



9 calves 104.00 



Eggs 543.00 



Butter 1293.00 



Hogs 3407.00 



Total $5385.00 



This was the best total for any three months 

 up to date, and it made me feel that I was get- 

 ting pretty nearly out of the woods, so far as 

 increasing my investment went. 



Including my new hog-house and ten thou- 

 sand bushels of purchased grain, the investment, 

 thought I, must represent quite a little more than 

 $100,000, and I hoped not to go much beyond 

 that sum, for Polly looked serious when I talked 

 of six figures, though she was reconciled to any 

 amount which could be stated in five. 



My buildings were all finished, and were good 

 for many years ; and if they burned, the insur- 

 ance would practically replace them. My gran- 

 ary was full enough of oats and corn to provide 

 for deficits of years to come ; and my flocks and 



