THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 181 



CHAPTER IX. 



HYDRAULICS. 



IT was a cool, bright day, with flying clouds and a fresh 

 breeze. Nothing had been done that day in the Wellson 

 strawberry plantation and all was quiet. 



The young plants stood fresh and stiff in their thin rows, 

 and the horticultural prospect was smiling. 



About four o'clock John, Jr., appeared upon the scene. 

 Gravely walking up and down the gravelled path he studied 

 the plants, the sky, and the white masses of clouds piled up 

 in the west and north-west. After a while he said : 



" Going to rain 'fore night. Shouldn't wonder if we 

 had a thunder-storm. Wind's north. Couldn't find a 

 better time if I tried." 



Walking around the house, he went out upon the village 

 sidewalk. Here he had a better view of the northern 

 sky. 



" It's coming, sure. Guess I'll begin." 



Without further thought he went to the chain-pump that 

 stood in the corner of the garden by the fence. Here, from 

 the ground beside the fence, he took a long wooden spout, 

 made of two boards nailed together V fashion. Placing ono 



