4 THE FIRST BOOK OF FARMING 



are ripening and the fall and winter crops are start- 

 ing into growth. So suppose we begin our study 

 with a visit to some farm in early September, to 

 bring to mind the many things a farmer works with, 

 the many things he has to think about and know 

 about. 



As we approach the farm we will probably see 

 first the farm-house surrounded by shade trees, per- 

 haps elms or maples, with the barns and other build- 

 ings grouped nearby. As we pass up the front walk 

 we notice more or less lawn of neatly clipped grass, 

 with flower beds bordering the walk, or we may 

 find a number of chickens occupying the front yard, 

 and the flower beds, placed in red half-barrels, set 

 upon short posts. In the flower beds we may find 

 petunias, nasturtiums, geraniums, rose bushes and 

 other flowering plants. Going around the house, we 

 come upon the dairy, with its rack of cans and pans 

 set out for the daily sunning and airing. Nearby is 

 a well with its oaken bucket ; at the barn we find the 

 farmer, and he very kindly consents to go with us 

 to answer questions. In the barn and sheds we find 

 wagons, plows, harrows, seed drills, hoes, rakes, 

 scythes and many other tools and machines. Pass- 

 ing on to the fields, we go through the vegetable 

 garden, where are carrots, parsnips, cabbages, beets, 

 celery, sage and many other vegetables and herbs. 



On the right, we see a field of corn just ready 

 to harvest, and beyond a field of potatoes. On the 

 left is the orchard, and we are invited to refresh 

 ourselves with juicy apples. In the field beyond the 



