Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1915-04-23
CAAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
TT was the Isl OF April when the
Poweis moved back to the little
farm. and there WAS a look of real
happiness on Mrs Poweirs face
when she WAS once more settled in
that quiet nook The farm lay BACK
from the public road and was screen
I'd from view by Il grove OF trees In
the pasture fhe weather beaten farm
house was also sheltered and shaded
by a cluster OF wide spreading oaks
But Sam and Florence were no less
pleased than their mother to be in the
country again Fe live in the country
and to know the ways of nature is to
love ii always
Before moving. however. they all
had made several trips to the old home
and done much work in the garden.
orchard and field. The old orchard.
after receiving special treatment by
Sam. surprised Mrs. Powell so that
she began to look on her son as a very
remarkable boy When they first look
ed at 1t in February 1t was an un
promising sight Dead weeds and bri
ers stood shoulder high. sprouts mad
grown up around the trees. and it look
ed as If there was but little life left III
the orchard, so many We're the broken
and dead honghs.
You might as we'll chop down the
old trees. said Mrs Powell. They
are nearly all dead anyway
Don't Won believe IT. exclaimed
Sam You just wait till get through
with those old trees. fhey look mighty
shabby now. but they'll come to life II
you give them chance. I've iusi
been readina about now TO work over
old orchards Why. mother II was
TO cut them down aud plant young
trees it would he three or four years
before we would get any fruit"
Yes, know that, replied his moth
er. but I don't think these old trees
will bear any more =
"Maybe not" said Sam. hut we can
try them can plant Young trees IN
the place of the ones that are entirely
dead
So be SET TO work. moving down
DrierS and weeds and raking them MIRO
piles and burning them When this
was done ne took a sa W and a pair OF
pruning shears and began on the trees
All the dead and broken limbs were
cut away fhe orchard had been neg
lected So long that there were many
dead boughs. and 1t was a different
kir1u nj Ga 6t.t. nd
ing The next thing he did was to buy
some chemicals and make solution
after formula given IN Que OF the
government bulletins, With this solu
ton and hand ~prayei he went over
the orchard and SPRAYED each tree from
top to bottom Next M nroke and mar
rowed the ground. and the old orchard
had one more chance 10 i've and thrive
for II was we'll pruned the ground In
fine condition. and the spraying had
killed all the insects mat We're on the
trees
Sam like his mother. felt rather
doubtful about the orchard. Dnt when
they moved there in Aprii they found
the old trees a mass of pink blooms.
Look Florence exclaimed Mrs.
Powell when she saw the trees looking
so beautiful sam is sure wonder
| didn't think he could do it -
"Oh. I'm n regular Burbank" said
Sam. smiling.
who's BurbankT' asked Florence.
Burbank" Sam replied. lis called
the plant wizard He can do anything
With plants. He took the cactns and
made IL grow without tDorns. He took
two wild berries and made large Der
~ that Is good 10 eat He took the lit
tie wild daisy and originated the large
Shasta daisy He has made potatoes
and Tomatoes grow on one stalk. and
be has grown u white blackberry
That isn't alt He has done hundreds
Of wonderful things with plants"
We'll. MIR burbank" said Florence.
with happy iaugh that's pretty
good Job on the orchard
Soon after moving to the farm Sam
rad mis- hrSt chance to get what b. 50
much wanted some registered Berk-
shires A neIghhor who was moving
out of the county came by where ne
was working
When are you going to IeaveY Sam
asked
Wet. I'm shout ready now" replied
the ueighbaF There's one thing
amt arranged yet. though. and its
kinder bothering me I've got fine
registered SOW. and she's going to hnd
a litter of pigs some Of these days be
fore long. I'd sell ner. but can't get
nothing like what she's worth, and
can't lind q place 10 leave her,.
I'D like to get some BERKSHIRE pigs"
Sam remarked What do you ask for
the sowY'
well. right this minute I'd take
so for ner. The pigs ars sure 70 -