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  Natalie begins her planting. (_Page 110_)]

  NATALIE:

  _A Garden Scout_

  By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY

  Author of "Janet: A Stock-Farm Scout," "Norma: A Flower Scout," "The Blue Birds Series," "The Five Little Starrs Series."

  Endorsed by and Published with the Approval of NATIONAL GIRL SCOUTS

  A. L. BURT COMPANY Publishers New York

  Printed in U. S. A.

  Copyright, 1921, by THE NOURSE COMPANY

  Printed in U.S.A.

  An Open Letter From the Author

  Dear Girls Everywhere:

  Perhaps you will like these country life books better for knowing thatthe incidents told in them actually happened to me in my girlhood days.I did not live on a farm such as Natalie's, however, nor was my father afarmer. He liked to "putter" around the acre of ground after businesshours, simply because he enjoyed such recreation. I was generally at hisheels, and whenever a fruit-tree was being grafted, or a swarm of beeshived, you could always find me there, too, getting in Daddy's way. If Iwas not in the garden, or at the barnyard, I would be shadowing mybrothers who were my seniors. Scouts were unheard of in those days, butwe hiked, camped, fished and did all the enjoyable stunts which youScouts now do.

  I have not the space here to tell you of some of the hair-raising"dares" my brothers tempted me to accomplish, but I will have to writethem for you to read, some time. However, the stunts and the followingresults would never be termed ladylike, nor were they graceful.Freckles, tan, and tattered dresses were the bane of my mother's life,and the inglorious title of "tomboy" failed to curb my delight in thefreedom of country life. But, dear girls, I stored away a fund of healthand experiences that I can now draw upon without bankrupting myself.

  A keen desire, which I hope to realize soon, is to have a place likeGreen Hill, where you girls can come and camp for as long a time as youlike. Then we can sit about the campfire and talk about the fun andfrolics the out-of-door life gives us. Many a laughable experience willI then tell you. Until that time, dear girls, believe me to be an ardentadmirer of and staunch worker for the Girl Scouts.

  Sincerely, Lillian Elizabeth Roy.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER PAGE I. Natalie Solves a Problem 7 II. A Secret Conclave 23 III. Green Hill Farm 38 IV. Girl Scout Farmerettes 59 V. Investigating Green Hill Farm 91 VI. Natalie Begins Her Planting 110 VII. Natalie Learns Several Secrets 131 VIII. Miss Mason's Patrol Arrives 153 IX. Janet Forms a Second Patrol 175 X. Trials of a Farmer's Life 213 XI. Norma and Frances Launch Themselves 235 XII. Grit Invites Himself To Green Hill 259 XIII. Belle's Choice of a Profession 283 XIV. Visitors and Welcome Orders 301

  NATALIE: A GARDEN SCOUT