172 SHELBY COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 



augurated. A thorough survey and study of the ground re- 

 vealed a body of land 480 acres in extent, and of unusual 

 natural beauty. A strong spring branch, bordered by a rail- 

 road, ran from north-east to south-west through the grounds 

 which rose in gentle swells on either side, with open blue grass 

 pastures and wood-covered knolls in all directions. 



THE PASTURES 



were overgrown with shrubs and weeds, and the knolls thick 

 with briars and underbrush. The fences were in a dilapidated 

 condition, in fact but for the friendly briars and grape vines 

 not a crop would have been safe from the ravages of roaming 

 stock. An entrance at the western side made a devious route 

 through the farm to the house, turning to every point of the 

 compass. Arriving there the view was anything but enchant- 

 ing, broken down fences, dilapidated out-buildings, and a 

 practically roofless barn being the surroundings. 



CHANGES BEGIN. 



^ Deliberate thought convinced me of needed changes, 

 which were at once begun. A new roof on the dwelling and 

 barn, and a pulling down of the out-buildings were the first 

 improvements. A substantial outside fence was the next. 

 This necessitated the entire removal of the old and the build- 

 ing of a new fence, with the corners cleared of briars and 

 bramble, and well sown with grass seed. Next, such an ar- 

 rangement of the interior fences was made as would enclose 

 fields of nearly uniform size, and at the same time allow a full 

 supply of water to each. 



EASY ACCESS TO THE FIELDS. 



Next, such an arrangement of the entrances and lanes 

 as would give access to all or any one of the fields or pastures 

 without going through another. All of these changes had to 

 be made under the directions of one educated as a merchant. 

 I had to make innovations upon established customs, employing 

 men who were confident they knew much better what was 

 needed than myself. This experience at times was both 



