296 FARMING BY INCHES; 



he was ready to come to the table, having washed and dressed 

 for dinner. This is something he never omitted. If he did 

 farm for a living, there was no occasion for his sinking the 

 gentleman. He did not follow the example of some of our 

 farming neighbors, and come to the table in his shirt-sleeves, 

 but maintained the same habits he acquired in the city. 

 Promptly at one o'clock the work was resumed. As soon as 

 I had finished clearing away the table I went out to see how 

 they prospered. To my surprise I found them at work 

 among our newly planted beans. I had supposed they would 

 take things in order. 



" What induced you to skip over so many things, Robert? 

 Why did you not take the peas next ? " 



" Beans must not be hoed when they are wet, makes 

 them rust. They are dry now." 



" Who tojd you so much? " 



" Books." And he rapidly plied his hoe, throwing in the 

 words between the sharp ring of his tool, as it slid over the 

 ground, gently stirring the surface and setting the young 

 weeds adrift. The sun was shining brightly, and the weeds 

 as they lay scattered about on the warm soil soon wilted 

 away in the heat. Just where they were at work the soil 

 was fresh and brown beneath them, a few feet behind it 

 changed color, and a yard or two back it was quite dry and 

 dusty. This to me seemed very singular. I did not know 



