Friday Aug. 20th 2 weeks have past away since last I wrote. I have been busy haying all the time (except the many rainy days) and I have not felt like writing. We have finished haying at last I am happy to say. to day the deed was done after 5 weeks of hard labor. The barns are not as full as last year, but it is better hay. H’s family are in Bethel now at Mr. Marshe’s. H is here, is at E. Bethel to day with his Daguerreotype mirror at Davis’es to try it. We picked the first ripe watermellon [sic] yesterday. B.G. Fisk was here & C. Chandler. The flowers in the garden now are numerous and beautiful. Currants plenty yet corn fit to roast a week ago some earlier & some later. --- in Moreys garden. Fruit is abundant, & crops look first rate We are having some cold days now, & clear & cloudy, rainy & fair days & hours in rapid succession. 3 acres of oats mowed, & to load in barn. a shower stopt [sic] the work at 5. John Smith helps these days