Farmer Boy

Almanzo and his family work their fields of crops in the spring. After plowing the fields with manure in the fall, the farm fields must be harrowed (using a tool with metal teeth or tines dragged over plowed land to break up clods, remove weeds, and cover seeds). Almanzo uses the old mares Bess and Beauty to harrow, since he’s not allowed to lead the other horses, and they push through the dirt with Almanzo behind using the reins. He harrows one way and then the other for long hours. They break for lunch, then harrow more. Working so hard makes Almanzo feel like a “soldier,” and after plowing, planting potatoes, digging with hoes, and packing seeds down in the soil, he sleeps soundly all night.

Father sows fields for potatoes, grain, rye, oats, and peas. The crops will feed the family and their horses and cows. Some crops will be sold. The whole family goes down the rows Father made, planting the correct seeds and covering them with soil. Later, they plant corn too. Almanzo tries to keep pace with Royal and Father, who plant corn much faster, but he knows someday his legs will be longer and he’ll be as fast as them.