IMH 75:2 208

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Friday, May 20th.

Weather still unchanged; thermometer indicated 87° at
noon. While Father finished planting the ground he began on
yesterday evening, Alvin and I plowed the two patches of Early
Rose potatoes, he riding and guiding Hemp, and I trying to
hold the double-shovel. The patch above the "orchard" was very
tough and leathery with sod, the other one easy. Both planting
and potato plowing were done by 8.30. I back furrowed a small
strip of ground between the oats and the ground just planted
then Father and I harrowed it and the patch that was broken
for oats and not sowed. In this last mentioned the clods were
very hard and we had to leave it; the other strip we planted.
After dinner we carted most of the tools across the creek and
between us cut the stalks on what was last year the clover­
patch. Father also did some grubbing over there and I struck
off a "land" and plowed a few rounds before quitting time.
Father and Alvin set out another batch of sweet potato plants,
making the ridges in the "Benge patch." R. J. Foster came and
got the corn-drill at noon and Bill Dezearn the harrow. Bill got
the old Dudley plow yesterday to layoff with when we took the
single shovel away from him. Alvin has for the past two days
been mainly employed about the house doing odd jobs too
numerous to mention

Teaching notes. The "double shovel" was used for making a furrow to plant the potatoes
in. The must have planted a great many potatoes.. put this picture in your mind-- Alvin riding a
horse that is pulling a :double shovel controlled by William.. on a warm..very warm May day.