The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-06-09

f ~ =" IL.
tumbled nearly all the stones that could
be found in the fields.
A pooty expensive way Of gettin' rid
O rocks remarked Grummet.
It's better place for them than on
the surface, isn't it 2 returned Walton,
with smile.
Mebbe. But what on arth are ye
doin' it for 2
'Why-I'm going to see If under
draining won't improve the land
Under-draining! What's that p
1T is simply drawing off the water
from the surface. This land is cold and
wet; but if | can get the water to drain
off among these rocks, the sun may warm
the surface, and give me good piece of
soil here 4 4 f4i-t
But it looked very foolish to Ben
Grummet. He believed that what was
the natur Of the soil couldn't be altered.
However, the young man made his
trenches-tumbled in the rocks-flled
in on top with the loam he had origin
ally removed; and then left it to work
for itself while. After this was done,
he cut his way to the muck swamp, and
went to hauling out that article, which
he deposited in various places, cas- he
deemed proper.
That's a Gurus contrivance,' said
Sam Bancroft. He and Ben Grummet
had been at work for Walton at hauling
muck. He alluded to large vat back
of the house, into which ran spout
from the sink. This vat was capable of
holding several cart loads of stuff, and
was already half full. ~
That's a compost vat explained
Walton who had overheard the remark.
9 All the slops from the house-the soap
suds, and such stuf-whch most peo-
pie waste, | save by this means, and turn
it to good account and instead of throw
ing away refuse matter, l put it in here,
and let il rot and ferment, and make
.'"
But what's this charcoal dust for q
1t answers two purposes, though by
only one office. 1t takes up the am.
monia, and other volatile matter, thus
holding them for fertilizing agents, and
at the same time prevents the disagree
able effluvia which would otherwise arise
from such fermcnting mass aI
THAT all stands very pooty,' remarked
Ben, after Walton had left them but let
me jes' tell you, ii don't pay! He'd bet
Ter let sich fandangles alone, if he ever
expects to make livin at farmin'.
Before the ground froze up, Walton
threw out most of the muck back of his
.ie-up, which had become well saturated,
md filled the trench up anew as
The old settlers upon the ridge had
set out great many apple-trees, and
made a great deal of cider: but the
Iruit was mostly wild, and Of an inferior
quality. When spring came, Walton
went to some of his neighbors, and ask
ed them to GO in with him, and send for
some good scions to engraft upon their
apple trees. He explained to them Just
he plan he had formed for his own or
,hard. He had engaged competent
man to come and do the work of graft
ng. and while they were about it, it
would be cheaper to get gratis enough
For the whole neighborhood. gd
'How much will it cost you p asked
Sawyer @ gaal
H'Why, returned Walton, I'm going
INTO mine pretty thoroughly. My Or
,hard is very large one, as yours is
md, like yours, the trees are mostly |
hrifty and vigorous-or could be made
'o--but with very poor fruit. | mean
% make thorough thing of ii, and shall
probably expend a hundred dollars this
spring. 9d fasi
What A hundred dollars - Ini
your orchard p .o ~ safal'ad
YES iis 10 io @hsDofe si j
q.
'Jewhitaker an broomsticks | When
git money to play with. I'll try it,
1t was of no use. The old orchards
we're just such as their fathers had, and
hey were good enough. So Walton
vent at it alone. He had his trees all
oruned and dressed, and nearly all of
hem grated to such fruit as he thought
would thrive best and sell best.
A little while later, and Ben Grummet
,ad occasion to open his eyes. He found
hat John Walton had contrived to have
! hundred and forty full loads of manure,
Ill of which had been made within the |
rear. However, he finally shook his |
,ead and said, wait. Well see if it's |
rood for anythinp.'