IN DAKOTA, 137 
the same cultivation I would give to a hill of corn. 
The lawn is nothing but the native prairie sod, 
mown and kept in order.” | 
“ Well, you certainly have the knack of making 
the most of things about you,” he added. 
“T don’t think there is any ‘knack’ about it, 
except that of using one’s common sense. It requires 
no special talent or ‘ knack’ to plant a tree, or build 
a cheap fence like that and paint it, or to mow a. 
lawn.” 
* While speaking of your improvements just now 
[I omitted to mention that vine-covered arbor just 
beyond the house. That adds much to the beauty 
of your lawn and must be a pleasant place to spend 
your summer evenings.” 
‘“* You are mistaken; that’s not an arbor.” 
“That not an arbor? What is it then?” he asked 
with evident surprise. r 
“Only a milk house,” I answered. 
“A milk house!” he exclaimed, 
“Yes, and mostly a sod-house at that,” I said. 
‘You see, I built a cheap frame, put a good roof on 
it, and_ boarded up the sides with the commonest 
kind of lumber; then laid up sod around it, just as if 
I were building a sod-house. This I did to keep it 
cool. Then my wife took it in hand, and planted 
some fast-growing vines around it; and the result is 
what you see. It is not only ornamental, but is a 
delightfully cool place in which to keep milk and 
butter.” 3 
