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Julius has been very busy all spring - Nicolas was here about two weeks and they have planted several hundred trees. about 60 or 70 pear trees many of them dwarfs - the old darky who works for him, says he has polluted the farm with fruit trees- today they finished putting in their potatoes - they have two fresh cows and expect to sell about 12 pds of butter a week. it is 30 cts now - but of course will come down - they will have no fruit this year except a few cherries- we have plums & pears no peaches and I fear no apples as the blossoms are not yet out - but they say apples are not killed - many peach trees were rotten we still have several boxes of honey two years old - I have filled you two cans of molasses - our camp was put out on the shares one we expected to have ten gallons - but only got five, tho it was a good season. Cause? cheating. Pa does not find it very justifiable- farming by proxy - his cattle are getting so poor he is going to bring them to the hill and we will make our own butter. Charlotte has a fresh cow and is churning too - sometimes their winter butter sold for 25 but generally 35 we did not buy it - but as generally the case, I know some poor people who gave that - I must rest now - good night darling _ Sunday. Not being able to go to church I will chat a little with you dear Johnny - it is Sis' birthday 8th she is 21 and quite happy in the idea of being of age- I don't imagine she will have any trouble in asserting her independence - I really believe Pa feels that he has gone a little too far - and that the loss has been greater than the gain -