Chapter 20
Late Harvest
Late Harvest
harvest moon
the full moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox
thoroughbreds
horses bred chiefly for racing
timber
trees or wooded land considered as a source of wood
cobbler
one who mends or makes boots or shoes.
sapling
a young tree
gritty
sandy
substantial
valuable, lasting
twilight
the diffused light in the sky during early morning or evening when the sun is on the horizon.
carpet-bags
travelling bags made of carpet fabric
pliable
flexible
scalding hot
hot enough to burn
What is the first thing Almanzo wants to see at the County Fair?
Almanzo wants to see the horses first.
What is "poor man's fertiliser"?
Is an early snow that falls before the ground is frozen. It carried something from the air to the ground which helped the crops grow.
Describe the cobbler
The cobbler is fat, is good-natured, and tells jokes.
Why does Almonza want his own bobsled?
Almanzo wants to begin using his team of calves to help bring timber out of the woods.
How does Almanzo justify watching the potatoes bake rather than going back to work with Alice?
He tells himself that he needs to watch the potatoes and that he hasn't abandoned her but is roasting a potatoe for her.
Why does Almanzo feel "cold and scared" after winning? What does he soon realise?
Almanzo is afraid he has won unfairly by feeding his pumpkin milk. He feels guilty, but soon realises that Father knew all about the milk, and Father wouldn't cheat.
What are some of the tasks Father does around the farm to prepare for winter?
Tightens the barn windows
Nails down loose boards
Banks the walls of the barn and house with straw for insulation.
Fits storm doors and windows on the house.
The Wilders make everything they use, so why don't they make their own shoes?
Cobbler's work is highly skilled and requires special equipment. Making shoes takes time, but the Wilders dedicate their time to running the farm.
Why does Almanzo want deep snow while it is storming?
If the snow is deep, Almanzo can begin using his new bobsled.
Why won't Father's barns hold all the harvested crops?
The crops were so good this year that his barn won;t hold them all.
Why do you think the farm boys almost always win the races and contests at the county fair?
What is the connection between pork fat, beef fat, tallow and lard?
Pork fat is melted to make lard, which is used in cooking. Beef fat is melted for tallow and used to make candles.
What is the huge shift in the Wilder's lives that happens? How is each person affected.
Royal, Alice, and Eliza Jane go to live and study at the Academy in Malone because it is too far for them to make the trip daily.
Father & Mother have less help
Almanzo - feels lonely
Royal wants to be a storekeeper now not a farmer
Eliza Jane - becomes bossy and judgmental
What is a tongue?
harnessing pole attached to the front end of an animal-drawn vehicle.