CLEARING THE LAND 189 



off for roosting quarters, while the other half serves as a 

 laying and scratching house. This farm keeps only a few 

 chickens for family use. 



The artesian well was started in October. The well was, 

 naturally, a necessity, but there was much to be considered 

 in regard to the method of pumping. Under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances a windmill would do, and is generally a good 

 auxiliary; a ten-foot iron tower and a ten-foot fan wheel 

 cost about fifty dollars, but our farm is not to be allowed to 

 be a failure for lack of water in a dry season. In case of 

 drought (and every summer brings one of greater or less 

 duration) water must be on hand, and as a drought usually 

 is accompanied by windless weather, the windmill could not 

 be depended upon. An engine was obviously necessary. 

 Both gasoline and kerosene engines were closely investi- 

 gated, with the result that a kerosene oil engine was decided 

 upon. (The new style of heavy oil engine is better and 

 cheaper to run. Ed.) An advantage of the engine over a 

 windmill is that it will furnish power for cutting wood, 

 grinding grain, or lighting the buildings, a two and one- 

 half horsepower engine running twenty-five 16 c.p. lights 

 easily. 



The rye was turned under green in the spring to furnish 

 humus, the greatest and only vital need of this particular 

 spot of virgin soil. 



Since that was written an excellent and cheap stump 

 puller has been introduced, but the account of work is 

 still typical. Dynamiting is still the modern way to clear 

 land as well as to break up a stiff subsoil or hardpan, so as 

 to loosen the earth to let deep roots like trees or alfalfa go 

 down and to secure drainage. 



Primitive American man regarded trees as "lumber" in- 



