A VAGABOND GARDEN 25 



prairie measuring fully twenty-five acres, ■ and 

 unbroken by slough or bluff. It seemed to clearly 

 cry out for wheat, and I dedicated it to the site of my 

 first new field. Beyond, again, on the other side of 

 an encircling chain of hay-sloughs, I was able to 

 get in another field of twelve acres which runs 

 north and south across the east line until it dips 

 to the edge of a most fertile and perfectly round 

 slough, from which the yield of hay, in England 

 would pay the rent of a small farm. On that day 

 from the far side I caught a gleam of glorious 

 colour isolated in the contrast of the surrounding 

 prairie. Viewed from a distance it seemed like an 

 enchanted garden, and I went eagerly though 

 carefully towards it across the intervening slough. 



" And your brother should be getting on to the 

 summer fallow ; it's forty acres and late in the 

 year ! " 



My predecessor had uttered this advice on a 

 warning note at every meal. When I stood on the 

 border of that living mass of loveliness I knew that 

 I had arrived at the place of " forty acres," because 

 running down the centre was a narrow strip of 

 recently turned black soil. And all the rest was 

 fairyland. 



Within the dower of Canadian soil is the supreme 

 gift of colour — " the soul's bridegroom " — although 

 the twin-gift of perfume is not there. Turn but 

 three feet of virgin soil and within a year bloom in 

 every hue of violet and gold greets your labour. 

 How these flowers come and whence none knows, but 

 it is supposed that an understanding exists between 

 bird, wind, and seed, since the seed always seems to 

 arrive at the best place possible for its growth. 



