190 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



CHAPTER XL 



"WINTER HORTICULTURALLY AND SENTIMENTALLY CONSIDERED. 



To be brief, our Johnny, with Kate's assistance, gathered 

 and sold their crop of grapes. The hydraulics indulged in 

 during the summer had greatly stimulated the vines, and 

 the warm and sheltered situation ripened the fruit quickly 

 and thoroughly. There were about forty vines in all, and, 

 fortunately for Johnny, the gardener formerly employed 

 had taken good care of them and they were in fine condi- 

 tion. They covered the fence on both sides of the garden, 

 and hung heavy with fruit. 



Our hero was much perplexed to decide between the 

 various stores that were ready to take the grapes. Some 

 would pay one price, some another. One man only wanted 

 a few pounds a day, and another the whole crop, provided 

 it was low-priced. Even the peanut woman wanted a few 

 pounds. 



The whole family sat in council upon the subject, and it 

 was decided that, as the children had but little time to spare 

 from school, it was best to get rid of the fruit in the 

 quickest and easiest way possible. To be sure, by running 

 about a little, better figures could be obtained, yet time 

 was worth something. 



