Uncle Roberts Geography | Page 7

in
the clover field?"
"It seems about half as large as the timothy meadow," said Frank.
"That's right," said Mr. Leonard; "it is."
"There are twenty acres in the wood lot, aren't there, father?" asked
Frank. "It isn't quite so wide, but it is longer than the timothy meadow."
"Yes," said Mr. Leonard, "there are twenty acres there; and it is as fine
woodland as any I know."

"There are ten acres in the orchard," said Frank; "and the cornfield is
the largest of all."
"That must be thirty acres," said Donald. "I remember when father
made the pasture smaller, so that we could have more corn."
"Yes," said Frank; "and that left ten in the pasture. I remember. And
there are fifteen acres each in oats, wheat, and rye; but I don't know
how large the potato field is. It is smaller than the others, though--it
must be about ten."
"Right again," said Mr. Leonard.
[Illustration: (figures, addition, subtraction)]
"Now we have it all but the yard and garden," said Uncle Robert. "Does
any one know how much land they cover?"
The father and mother looked on smiling, but said nothing.
"It's all the rest of the farm, anyhow," said Susie.
"Oh, I know how to find out," said Frank. "We know the whole farm is
one hundred and sixty acres. We can add all these figures, and the
difference between that and one hundred and sixty will be what's in the
yard and garden."
So he added all the numbers together and found them to be one
hundred and fifty-five.
"Yes," exclaimed Donald; "and five more would make it one hundred
and sixty."
"Then there must be five acres in the yard and garden." said Susie,
"Write it down. Frank."
"There," said Frank, looking at his work with some pride. "It's all in.
Now shall I draw it again and make the lines straighter?"

[Illustration: Map of the farm.]
"Oh, no; this tells the story very well," said Uncle Robert. "The next
time we will measure it off, and make it more carefully."
"Not so bad," said Mr. Leonard, as Frank showed him the drawing.
"I think it is very good for a first time," said Mrs. Leonard, with an
encouraging smile. "With a little practice, my boy, I believe you would
draw well."
"Mother always believes we can do things," said Frank, laughing.
"Tell me more about the river," said Uncle Robert.
"Our side is bottom land," said Frank; "but across the river the bank is
high and steep. Farther down it is just the other way. The steep bank is
on this side, and the low land is opposite."
"The river bends the other way down there," said Donald.
"I see," said Uncle Robert. "How high is the bank?"
"I don't know," answered Frank. "How high is it, father?"
"About twenty feet," said Mr. Leonard.
"Do you go on the river much?" asked Uncle Robert.
"Oh, yes," said Donald. "We have an old boat, and we have been miles
on it."
"That is, downstream," said Frank. "We have never taken the boat up
the river beyond the village, on account of the milldam."
"There's an island in the river," said Susie, "between here and the
village. We have been there."
"How large an island is it?" asked Uncle Robert--"large enough to have

a picnic there while I am here?"
"Oh, yes," said Susie. "It's just the loveliest place for a picnic! There
are trees all over it, and all kinds of wild flowers."
"Can't you extend your map, Frank, so as to put in the river to the
village, showing the milldam and the island?" suggested Uncle Robert.
"You might draw it this way, too," said Donald, "and show how the
river bends the other way down here."
"Now I want to draw my garden," said Susie, when Frank had finished.
Just then the clock on the kitchen shelf struck loudly.
"It's bedtime now, dear," said Mrs. Leonard. "Can't you draw your
garden to-morrow?"
"We'll plant those pansies to-morrow," said Uncle Robert, "and see
what can be put in all the other beds. Then we'll draw it, and tell just
where everything is."
So Susie went to bed happy, and Frank and Donald soon followed. And
all were glad that Uncle Robert was really come.


CHAPTER III.
THE NEW THERMOMETER.
The next morning as they left the breakfast table Donald said:
"It's going to be warmer to-day."
"I think not," said Frank. "When I went to the barn it seemed quite
cool."

"What do you think, Susie?" asked Uncle Robert.
"It was cool under the trees when I went to the spring for a pitcher of
water," said Susie, "but it seemed rather warm in the sun. I think it is a
lovely morning."
"What makes it warm?"