568 TOM’S EXPHRIENCE 
PREPARATIONS. 
* During the winter 1 made an addition to my sta- 
bles, and built another granary, at a cost for both of 
$86. I engaged two of the best men I could find to 
assist me in putting in my crops, being determined 
to get them in as early as the weather would permit, 
and inthe best possible manner, for, be it remem- 
bered, I had set out to raise some extra good crops 
this year. 
3 PUTTING IN THE CROPS. 
The reader will not be interested in the details of 
my spring work further than that I kept constantly. 
in view’ my purpose to raise exceptionally large crops 
if possible. . The season for sowing was a little later 
than usual, but I had everything in readiness, and 
every day in which work could be done was made 
the most of, so that I managed to get the crops— 
ninety acres each of wheat and oats—all in in good 
time. And with extra harrowing, wherever it was 
needed, and the liberal use of anew pulverizer which 
[ had recently. purchased, the ground was in the best 
possible condition. I felt the consciousness that I 
had done everything in my power to insure good 
crops, and if the season was at all alae I aeiolii 
have them. 
There is nothing that a Dakota farmer can do that 
pays better than the comparatively small amount of 
extra work necessary to prepare the ground properly 
for the reception of seed. Good breaking must be 
