that it was a trick. People
always overdo the matter when they attempt deception. I therefore hung
some loose garments, of a bright color, upon a rake-head, and set them
up among the vines. The supposition was, that the bird would think there
was an effort to trap him, that there was a man behind, holding up these
garments, and would sing, as he kept at a distance, "You can't catch
me with any such double device." The bird would know, or think he knew,
that I would not hang up such a scare, in the expectation that it would
pass for a man, and deceive a bird; and he would therefore look for
a deeper plot. I expected to outwit the bird by a duplicity that was
simplicity itself I may have over-calculated the sagacity and reasoning
power of the bird. At any rate, I did over-calculate the amount of peas
I should gather.

But my game was only half played. In another part of the garden were
other peas, growing and blowing. To-these I took good care not to
attract the attention of the bird by any scarecrow whatever! I left the
old scarecrow conspicuously flaunting above the old vines; and by this
means I hope to keep the attention of the birds confined to that side of
the garden. I am convinced that this is the true use of a scarecrow:
it is a lure, and not a warning. If you wish to save men from any
particular vice, set up a tremendous cry of warning about some other;
and they will all give their special efforts to the one to which
attention is called. This profound truth is about the only thing I have
yet realized out of my pea-vines.

However, the garden does begin to yield. I know of nothing that
makes one feel more complacent, in these July days, than to have his
vegetables from his own garden. What an effect it has on the market-man
and the butcher! It is a kind of declaration of independence. The
market-man shows me his peas and beets and tomatoes, and supposes
he shall send me out some with the meat. "No, I thank you," I say
carelessly; "I am raising my own this year." Whereas I have been wont to
remark, "Your vegetables look a little wilted this weather," I now say,
"What a fine lot of vegetables you've got!" When a man is not going to
buy, he can afford to be generous. To raise his own vegetables makes a
person feel, somehow, more liberal. I think the butcher is touched by
the influence, and cuts off a better roast for me, The butcher is my
friend when he sees that I am not wholly dependent on him.

It is at home,