Mr. Joseph Keeler Turns Farmer 77 



well-fruited orchards. Then she gradually pushed farther into 

 the deeper shade of the woodland with its murmuring pines 

 and beeches and ample underwood, following through its depths 

 the purling creek, deep hidden in the tangled cedars, and came 

 home laden with watercress, ferns, marsh marigolds and other 

 woodland treasures. Responsive to Nature's allurements, 

 Fanny revelled in every new-found flower and moss and, soon, 

 forgetting she had been an invalid, rejoiced her father on his 

 week-end visits with the abundant evidences of a returning 

 strength and of a rapid improvement in her appearance of health 

 and with an outburst of her old-time joyous spirit. 



But soon, all too soon, the nights lengthened and the summer 

 sped away and Mr. Keeler awaited with anxiety and some alarm 

 for what the coming autumn and winter nights might have in 

 store for his son and daughter. Nevertheless, the autumn came 

 and with it the generous, even bountiful gifts of Mother Earth. 

 The evenings were calm and serene, wrapped in that odorous 

 haze which marks the 'fall' of the leaves, with the warm 

 vapours wafted in from the now warm lake waters which, pass- 

 ing over the cooling land, made that wonderful, long autumn 

 season near the Great Lake shores, delaying often into late 

 November the killing frosts and creating an ideal climate for 

 the ripening, tinting and maturing of the apples of those veri- 

 table Hesperidean gardens of Canada. But now and then came 

 the light frosts to aid in perfecting Nature's treasures, and 

 with them the tinting of the birches, beeches and maples. 

 Ernest and his men were now busily engaged in picking the lus- 

 cious fruits, having already gathered for the cannery the green 

 corn and the ripe tomatoes hanging in their crimson profusion 

 from the drooping vines. 



The Cooperative Association formed in the spring had done 

 well. Through Mr. Keeler's efforts the railway had put in a 

 "siding," and flag-station while the association had erected a 

 large storehouse to which the farmers brought their fruits, 

 which there were carefully sorted, graded and packed in the 

 finest type of modern box, to be sent in car-lots wherever called 

 for; but especially to Winnipeg to be handled by one of Mr. 

 Keeler's travellers who had arranged for then* sale direct to 

 retailers there and in other western cities. An expert picker 



