306 



" Why, you make up a bunch, while I get the string and 

 tie it when you are ready." 



" A good idea ; only you must not use twine. Take some 

 of that Russia matting soaking in the water-pail. Twine 

 would cut the roots, and injure their looks and sale. The 

 matting is soft and easy to work with while it is wet. When 

 it becomes dry, it shrinks, and holds the bunch tightly in 

 place." 



Eobert then made up the bunches, and I tied, as he held 

 them. By so doing, we got on twice as fast as before. 



" Still another idea, Robert. Suppose, instead of your 

 flesh and blood fingers, we had some wooden ones." 



Without waiting to even thank me for the suggestion, he 

 dropped the radishes, and went into the barn, and I soon 

 heard him at work with hammer and nails. In a few min- 

 utes he returned, bringing a small wooden rack, or frame, 

 looking like a reduced saw-horse. Placing it on the bench, 

 he threw a few radishes into it and tied them up in an 

 instant. 



" You place them, and I will tie them." 



Soon we had quite a pile of bunches before us. 



" Lend a hand, Jack. Take them away and wash them, 

 while we tie them up." 



At the sight of our improved method the lad opened his 

 eyes very wide, and said : 



