100 MY TEN-ROD FARM; 



I started the first fire in my boiler on the evening of 

 November second, and from this date kept it up every 

 night till the first of May. The month of November passed 

 away almost without incident. I gave up going to the city, 

 but sent Johnny instead. He carried the flowers in a small 

 wooden box covered with green paper, with a leather strap for a 

 handle. When it became very cold, I used to place a bottle 

 of hot water in the box to prevent the flowers from freezing 

 on the road. As the greater part of my plants were planted 

 in the borders, they required but little attention. To show 

 how I passed my time, I will give you the routine of one 

 day's labor. The first thing to be done was to cut the flow- 

 ers before the sun was high. Then came breakfast. That 

 over, the bill of the flowers was made out, and Johnny 

 despatched. After clearing up affairs in the house, I went 

 out to the plant-house again, at about half-past nine. If 

 the day was cloudy, and the houses not up to the required 

 temperature, I freshened the fire. If the sun shone, this 

 would be unnecessary, as the heat of the sun alone was 

 sufficient to warm the buildings without artificial aid. Then 

 came the watering, if it was needed. That done, or found 

 superfluous, I spent my time in keeping things clean and 

 in order, for really this was all I had to do. At noon 

 Johnny returned from school, where he had been since his 

 flying visit to the city. He brought me the empty box, and 

 the flower bill duly endorsed by Thomas Dacy. Mary re- 

 turned at the same time, and at half-past twelve we had din- 



