CHAPTER LXV 



THE END OF THE THIRD YEAR 



" POLLY," said I, on the evening of Decem- 

 ber 31, "let's settle the accounts for the year, 

 and see how much we must credit to < experi- 

 ence ' to make the figures balance." 



" Aren't you going to credit anything to health, 

 and good times generally ? If not, you don't 

 play fair." 



" We'll keep those things in reserve, to spring 

 on the enemy at a critical moment ; perhaps 

 they won't be needed." 



" I fancy you will have to bring all your re- 

 serves into action this time, Mr. Headman, for 

 you promised to make a good showing at the 

 end of the third year." 



" Well, so I will ; at least, according to my 

 own estimate ; but others may not see it as 

 I do." 



" Don't let others see it at all, then. The ex- 

 periment is yours, isn't it ? " 



" Yes, for us ; but it's more than a personal 

 matter. I want to prove that a factory farm is 

 sound in theory and safe in practice, and that it 

 will fit the needs of a whole lot of farmers." 



