Homesteading 



*' That's all right," I returned, " but of more 

 importance, if you think of grain growing, is 

 the fact that the quarter lies with a nice southern 

 slope, and somewhat protected from cold winds, 

 and yet not in a hollow, which is liable to catch 

 the frost, and that the soil seems a nice rich 

 chocolate mould. You see," I went on, " though 

 I think there are some advantages about a north 

 slope, especially in a dry, hot season, yet on the 

 whole I think the south side is the best, mainly 

 because, the seasons being short and the danger 

 of frost great, it is very important that the seed 

 should germinate, grow, and mature quickly." 



" What about the one we saw yesterday ? " 

 said Tom. 



" My idea of that one," said I, "is that it is 

 not a bad one for stock raising, and as I favour 

 that line, and you are keen on grain, espe- 

 cially wheat, how would it do if you take this, 

 and I that one ? " 



" Sounds all right," answered Tom ; " but is 

 it not a nuisance they are some five miles apart ? " 



" In a way, yes," I replied, " though it splits 

 the risk of hail and fire, and you see it is not 

 easy to get suitable quarters near together ; 

 further, there are ways of arranging to live and 

 work more or less together, which we must think 

 and talk over later." 



68 



