He used a very little commercial fertilizer in each box, and
planted some of the seeds he had bought in Crawberry at an
agricultural warehouse on Main Street.

Mrs. Atterson had expressed the hope that he would put in a
variety of vegetables for their own use, and Hiram had followed
her wishes. When the earth in the boxes had warmed up for
several days he put in the long-germinating seeds, like tomato,
onions, the salads, leek, celery, pepper, eggplant, and some beet
seed to transplant for the early garden. It was too early yet to
put in cabbage and cauliflower.

These boxes caught the sun for a good part of the day. In the
afternoon when the sun had gone, Hiram covered the boxes with
old quilts and did not uncover them again until the sun shone in
the next morning. He had decided to start his early plants in
this way because he hadn't the time at present to build frames
outside.

During the early mornings and late afternoons, too, he began
to make the small repairs around the house and outbuildings.
Hiram was handy with tools; indeed, a true farmer should be a
good mechanic as well. He must often combine carpentry and
wheelwrighting and work at the forge, with his agricultural
pursuits. Hiram was something better than a "cold-iron
blacksmith."

When it came to stretching the wire of the pasture fence he had
to resort to his inventive powers. There are plenty of wire
stretchers that can be purchased; but they cost money.