I found that I could buy these standard varieties in the vicinity; and having made the lower part of the garden very rich, I procured, one cloudy day, two hundred plants of each kind and set them in rows, six feet apart, so that by a little watchfulness I could keep them separate. I obtained my whole stock for five dollars; therefore, counting our time and everything, the cost of entering on strawberry culture was slight. A rainy night followed, and every plant started vigorously. In spite of occasional frosts and cold rains, the days grew longer and warmer. The cherry, peach, plum, and pear buds were almost ready to burst into bloom, but Mr. Jones shook his head over the orchard. "This ain't apple year," he said. "Well, no matter. If you can make it go this season, you will be sure of better luck next year." He had come over to aid me in choosing a two-acre plot of ground for corn and potatoes. This we marked out from the upper and eastern slope of a large meadow. The grass was running out and growing weedy. "It's time it was turned over," my neighbor remarked; "and by fall it'll be in good condition for fruit." I proposed to extend my fruit area gradually, with good reason, fearing that much hired help would leave small profits. That very afternoon Mr. Jones, with his sharp steel plow, began to turn over clean, deep, even furrows; for we had selected the plot in view of the fact that it was not stony, as was the case with other portions of our little farm. When at last the ground was plowed, he said: "I wouldn't harrow the part meant for corn till you are ready to plant it, say about the tenth of next month. We'd better get the pertater ground ready and the rows furrowed out right off. Early plantin' is the best. How much will ye give to 'em?" "Half the plot," I said. "Why, Mr. Durham, that's a big plantin' for pertaters." "Well, I've a plan, and would like your opinion. If I put Early Rose potatoes right in, when can I harvest them?" "Say the last of July or early August, accordin' to the season." "If we keep the ground clean and well worked the sod will then be decayed, won't it?" "Yes, nigh enough. Ye want to grow turnips or fodder corn, I s'pose?" "No, I want to set out strawberries. I've read more about this fruit than any other, and, if the books are right, I can set strong plants on enriched ground early in August and get a good crop next June. Won't this pay better than planting next spring and waiting over two years from this time for a crop?" "Of course it will, if you're right. I ain't up on strawberries."