Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-05-18
His Garden.
WRITTEN FOR THE MONITOR.

and contcntment IN being Tree from
the inspection and supervision that
often comes with a rented house, when
the landlord is really trying to avoid
necessary repairs, yet is loud in his
assertions that everything shall be
made perfect.
The furniture that had spread so
thinly through the rooms of some
parsonages, was here abundant for
every room. 1t looked very home
like and Mrs. Prosey felt sure that
although out of regular charge, yet
they were liable, any day or hour, to
have the same class of callers that a
minister's wife must expect to re-
ceive and entertain, and mentally
she saw her table surrounded, and
her beds occupied by brethren or book
agents and persons in great variety
of missionary work. The minister S
wife knows them well; she knows
their grip sack by sight and their ap-
petite by a rich experience. But
during these warm spring days, when
the ground was steaming under the
midday sun and the buds on every
bush were struggling to unfold into
soft and tender leaves, Mr.. Prosey
with his boy by his side, were taking
health-giving sun baths, and at the
same time, cleaning away bushes and
tree tops and logs, so as to make
the soil itself accessible. They did
not work rapidly, so as to suffer ex-
haustion after a few hours labor, mol
wildly in all parts, bnt in front of the
house, so that from the road the en-
trance seemed broad, free and gener-
Gus. No fence was to enclose the
front with hitching post across the
street, but rather the drive came neal
the door to a good block of wood fol
a stepping place, and then firm
board walk to the door, and at the
door were good substantial steps
One brother who helped the remova
of goods TO the new house said h,
would fix the steps in two shakes
so he turned a box down in front o.
the door with lesser one in front
but Mrs. Prosey said to her husband
eff thy handmade has found favor il
thy sight, make me some good steps
of gentle grade, safe for children
wide enough to receive company, ant
just as firm and substantial as tn,
house ITSELF" So the approache
to the house received careful atten
| tion. Some young trees were lef
and the places for the lilac and tn,
rose designated.
The first Sunday after the new min
lister came the president of the Dor
cas- society said they must have so
ciety meeting at brother Prosey's ant
carry their own refreshments ant
see what they could do to help abou
the new home. When there is sucl
a ladies' society connected with
church, it is of little avail to say
''we are not ready, we cannot enter
tain you," when the decree goes ou
!, that "we are coming" SO the mex
Friday afternoon a good company o
brothers and sisters came together
not only baskets of lunch came in th
, wagons, but soon axes appeared
a whlffietree and chain and stron,
horse in work harness. A brie
consultation was held and it was de
cided where the best land could b
cleared the quickest and the most eff
fective work done. A few strong
willing and skillful brethren made
fine little clearing that afternoon ant
> several piles of logs, stumps AM
brush were ready to burn when dry
brother Prosey was sitting on a To-
when brother Nelson said:
"How fortunate we should be j
we could plant our gardens with crop
| that would last pepetually."
This idea was very like brothe
,, Nelson as he delayed making his ow,
garden until all his field crops wer
sown and planted, and then left tn
, care of it to the hired girl
"We could easily do that" sal
brother Prosey, "only we should b
: somewhat limited in varieties"
Il think So, said Mr.. Nelson. 6
; guess that "pusley,' dandelion ant
witch grass would be the list
"Not so bad as that" responde
, the minister. "One of the first plant
l used in spring is the horse radish an
if good supply is planted, and it
dug only for family use it seem
to endure forever. / presume 20
, have that ?"
: "WelI, no My wife often speak
of setting out horse radish, but / hav
never got at it" answered Bro. B.
"The asparagus, continued th
minister, "is almost universally like
: as food. Have you bed of that i?
+ "No, hain't bed, but few root
, grow in the front yard the wome
g folks think it an ornamental plant.
Il ssThen rhubarb is a wonderful
vigorous plant and may be classe
e with the most enduring if freely fe1
tilized its succulent leaf stalks max
pies and sauce that are very gene
h ally relished: as the acidity is some
d what like that of fruit and very health
d full if used with moderation" sal
g brother Prosey.
Il eyes," said Mr.. Nelson, "my viii
always gets plenty of rhubarb fro