IMH 75:2 196

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Monday, April 18th.

Same weather to a great extent as yesterday Clouds
thicker and threatened rain at night. Father departed soon
after breakfast to the city of Martinsville on business I believe
connected with the tax assessing. I plowed the potato-patch
which had been cleared above the orchard. Alvin helped a good
deal by turning over refractory sod etc. It was a hard job on
team and driver but was done by eleven o'clock. After dinner I
harrowed it and furrowed it out. Father came home before I
had finished furrowing and covered most of the potatoes, which
Alvin dropped. Mother and Alvin as usual cleansed the more or
less dirty habiliments etc. of the household. Mrs. Nancy Bal­
linger was here after, and got, some buttermilk. The woods
begin to darken with buds, frogs peep in plenty, and a
whip­ por-will, was said to have been heard last night. Changing the
subject I will mention that we planted entirely Early Rose
potatoes to day.

Teaching note: Early Rose potatoes are still available today. It it considered an
heirloom vegetable. coming from the work of a Vermont farmer in 1860. A great classroom
project would be to have a small plot if possible on school property where an heirloom garden
could be planted.
Whip-por-wills are interesting nocturnal birds with red eyes. The sing their song from dusk on.
Their numbers are sadly declining as the their domain is deep woods.