Peter having heard of the self-blanching kinds told his grandfather that he would plant this kind to obviate blanching.  But there were two drawbacks.  In the first place, he had waited too late to start seed.  And secondly, these varieties, too, should be bleached to take out the bitter taste.  So Peter bought young celery plants from his grandfather.  He paid $1 for two hundred small plants.  Later in November he sold these to the same market where his potatoes had gone.  Fifty bunches he sold to his father.  These were left protected in the ground for use when needed.  The rest he sold in the city.  From his celery he made $1.80.  In all the lad made $9.55.  This was a pretty good sum to make.  So Peter’s saying of “potatoes and profit” actually worked out.

XIII

PHILIP’S BACKYARD

On a beautiful Saturday in late April one might have seen The Chief and his boys boarding the train for the city.  It was the day set apart for helping Philip.

The boy had cleared up the yard ready for work.  You will remember shrubs were to be planted, a walk and cement pond made, and a little gardening done.  The shrubs were planted as the school trees were.  One must be careful to dig the hole large enough to receive the roots of the shrub.  If old shrubs are transplanted be sure to cut out all the old wood, and also cut the top back severely; that is, reduce it to one-third its former size.

It was great fun to make the little pond.  Such a pond may be used for fish or for water plants or for both.  Do not make too large a one, unless you have a very large yard.  The smaller ones are easier to care for, and more pleasing in appearance.

First stake off the outside limits for the pond.  Philip’s was to be four feet by two and one-half feet.  Dig down three feet.  Fill in the bottom of the pond up to fifteen inches of the top with large stones.  Then in between and over these put small stones so that you have filled in about six to eight inches of the cavity.  Now it is time to mix cement.  Mix only a little at a time.  Get a board about two feet square.  With a trowel put on the board one part of Portland cement to three parts of sand.  Have a watering pot full of water at hand.  Add water enough each time to the cement and sand to make a soft but not running mass.  If it be possible for you to have small stones to put in, it will improve the mortar you are mixing.  These stones should not be larger than one inch in size.  Add four parts of these to the mixture.

Now over the bottom of the pond put on the paste about three inches thick.  Fill in with the trowel and smooth it off with the back of this same tool.  The sides are the next job.  Put a board slantwise against the bottom of the pond so there is a space between the board and the side you are to plaster.  Drop the mortar down into this space and press the board against the sides.  This firms the mortar.  Keep up this work all around the sides of the pond.