THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



aroused such an admiration for the combined 

 method of manipulating solids and liquids, 

 that we decided to adopt it; for, though the 

 symmetrical and even packing was a decided 

 improvement, it did not approach perfection. 

 I should like to have built the entire concrete 

 cistern and inclosure, but such grandeur be- 

 longs to the estate of the really wealthy. 

 Ordinarily prosperous people, on a practical 

 farm, have to consider the ultimate return; 

 and labor necessary for such an inclosure, I 

 was sure, would far outstep the profits. But 

 the poorest farmer can afford a floor and 

 shelter such as we put up, and will reap a 

 full return the first year. 



A space 25 feet long and 20 feet wide was 

 cleared, and slightly sloped to the center, so 

 that all drainage would collect at that point, 

 where a large barrel was sunk. Four straight 

 young trees were chopped down, where thin- 

 ning was needed in the woods, trimmed off, 

 and cut to a uniform length of 15 feet; the 



larger ends submerged in hot tar, to act as a 



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