### May 31 On May 31, 1801, I had just finished my tenure as the first Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington and President John Adams. I decided to take a break from politics and try my hand at farming, so I bought a plot of land in upstate New York. Excited to get started with my new venture, I woke up early and headed outside to begin working the fields. However, I quickly realized that farming was not as easy as I had imagined. My lack of experience was evident as I struggled to determine which plants needed watering and which weeds to pull. To make matters worse, it started to rain heavily that day. I desperately tried to cover my crops with whatever I could find, but it was no use. I was completely drenched and covered in mud. As I trudged back to my house, feeling defeated and embarrassed, I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation. Here I was, a man who had dealt with the complexities of government finances and politics, struggling with the simple task of farming. But despite the rough start, I eventually found success in agriculture and even became a vocal advocate for the use of fertilizers to improve crop yields. So, in the end, May 31, 1801 served as a reminder to never underestimate the hard work and skill required in any trade - even farming.