“Hadn’t thought of it that way,” answered Burlington, “but I believe that’s the right way to look at it. And say, I wouldn’t mind living out here myself. Anything in farms to be had around here at a reasonable figure?” “Is now,” I answered, “but there won’t be five years from now.” I didn’t know whether he was in earnest or not, but less than two months later he bought the Smalley place--a good house and ten acres of land at the lower end of High Street. That was a good move for him and a good move for us. It gave us confidence in him and made him really one of us. He joined the Pioneer Club at once and I sold him five shares of stock out of my twenty in the Pioneer Products Company so that he could join us, though I hated to part with it. There were some who were suspicious of his motives, but I wasn’t, and it wasn’t long before he proved himself one of the live wires of the company. His knowledge of the market was invaluable to us, and later on was an important factor in guiding us concerning what to plant. CHAPTER XV THE GOOSE HANGS HIGH Things went well with us that second season. Much of the novelty of the undertaking had worn off but none of the enthusiasm and everyone settled down to hard, steady work. The prizes were still a big incentive and the hundred dollars in new bills which Holt continued to exhibit in Moulton’s store window was still as much a center of interest and excited curiosity as money in a museum. But there was more a feeling of security and confidence than the year before. Our past success was somewhat responsible for this, but the Pioneer Products Company was more so. There seemed to be a feeling now that we were on a solid business basis. The coöperation idea--the mere fact of organization--and the sight of stock certificates made our members feel more like real business men than ever before they had felt in their lives. And that was good for them. It steadied them and made them take their work more seriously. That was a good season for crops. Our small stuff came along early and did well. By the last of June we were shipping lettuce and radishes and by the first week in July early peas. Of course hothouse stuff had been in the market long before this but Burlington was able to quote prices that furnished him a ready market. Not only were the prices right but the produce was right. There isn’t much doubt but what stuff grown in a normal way without being forced has certain qualities that you can’t get in hothouse products. The longer I farm the more respect I have for Nature as a business partner. She is always square and above board but she is also a stern mistress in the matter of justice. You can’t ever get something for nothing from her. She’ll beat you every time you try it. If you try to hurry her well and good, you can, but you’ll pay for your early stuff at cost of flavor. If you go in for flavor, well and good, but you’ll pay for that at the cost of size. Let her alone and she’ll balance things.