298 FARMING BY INCHES; 



and I don't believe it ever will. The more land a man has, 

 the poorer he is off." 



" The first part of your proposition I doubt, the last part 

 I can understand readily. If I were obliged to cultivate a 

 hundred acres I would give up at once, and turn to some 

 other occupation." 



" I've got two hundred on my place. Its the old Stamford 

 farm, next door. My father left it to' me, and I've managed to 

 starve on it all my life, and my children too, that is, what's 

 left of them. The boys ran away ; the girls can't, so they 

 don't. They is willing enough, I dare say. Well, I don't 

 blame 'em. Farmin' is a dog's life, and mighty poor pay, 

 unless perhaps a fellow has lots of capital." 



" There is one kind of capital you have as much of as 

 anybody." 



"What's that?" 



" Time ! All the while you have been standing there 

 leaning against the fence, doing nothing, I have hoed a 

 whole row of beans, and have thereby added to their value 

 at least fifty cents." 



Finding the conversation becoming pointed I went back 

 to examine the result of my labor. Just as I supposed, the 

 rake tore the weeds out of the ground, and the sun quickly 

 killed them. I cannot see but that the work is as well done 

 as with a hoe, and better in one respect. 



