During the last week of August the potatoes were fully ripe, and Merton, Winnie, Bobsey, and I worked manfully, sorting the large from the small, as they were gathered.  The crop turned out very well, especially on the lower side of the field, where the ground had been rather richer and moister than in the upper portion.

I did not permit Merton to dig continuously, as it was hard work for him; but he seemed to enjoy throwing out the great, smooth, white-coated fellows, and they made a pretty sight as they lay in thick rows behind us, drying, for a brief time, in the sun.  They were picked up, put into barrels, drawn to the dry, cool shed, and well covered from the light.  Mr. Jones had told me that as soon as potatoes had dried off after digging, they ought to be kept in the dark, since too much light makes them tough and bitter.  Now that they were ripe, it was important that they should be dug promptly, for I had read that a warm rain is apt to start the new potatoes to growing, and this spoils them for table use.

So I said:  “We will stick to this task until it is finished, and then we shall have another outing.  I am almost ready to begin rebuilding the barn; but before I do so, I wish to visit Houghton Farm, and shall take you all with me.  I may obtain some ideas which will be useful, even in my small outlay of money.”

CHAPTER XL

A VISIT TO HOUGHTON FARM

Houghton Farm, distant a few miles, is a magnificent estate of about one thousand acres, and the outbuildings upon it are princely in comparison with anything I could erect.  They had been constructed, however, on practical and scientific principles, and I hoped that a visit might suggest to me some useful points.  Sound principles might be applied, in a modest way, to even such a structure as would come within my means.  At any rate, a visit to such a farm would be full of interest and pleasure.  So we dug away at the potatoes, and worked like ants in gathering them, until we had nearly a hundred bushels stored.  As they were only fifty cents a bushel, I resolved to keep them until the following winter and spring, when I might need money more than at present, and also get better prices.

Then, one bright day toward the end of August, we all started, after an early dinner, for the farm, Junior going with us as usual.  We had been told that the large-minded and liberal owner of this model farm welcomed visitors, and so we had no doubts as to our reception.  Nor were we disappointed when, having skirted broad, rich fields for some distance, we turned to the right down a long, wide lane, bordered by beautiful shrubbery, and leading to the great buildings, which were numbered conspicuously.  We were courteously met by Major Alvord, the agent in charge of the entire estate.  I explained the object of my visit, and he kindly gave us a few moments, showing us through the different barns and stables.  Our eyes grew large with wonder as we saw the complete appliances for carrying on an immense stock-farm.  The summer crops had been gathered, and we exclaimed at the hundreds of tons of hay, fodder, and straw stored in the mows.