I was a sickly and feeble child throughout my youth. Therefore my chores were mostly inside with Aunt Sue. My brother was a hardly fellow and worked outside with Uncle Mose. I became quite good at the housekeeping work: cleaning, cooking, gardening and so forth. Often times when I finished my chores, I would go and attend a little garden I had hidden in the woods. I developed my interest in plants while working with Aunt Sue in her garden. Plants and animals and trees and rocks were things I found fascinating. The only book I had was an old Webster's spelling book. I almost knew the book by heart. Aunt Sue and Uncle Mose had taught me to read and spell somewhat. For that I'll always be thankful.