Those final Creatures,－who they are－1
That, faithful to the close,
Administer her ecstasy,
But just the Summer knows.
That, faithful to the close,
Administer her ecstasy,
But just the Summer knows.
(F.1746/J.1766)
[1] final:: final proof; under the Homestead Act (1862), settlers must live in an undeveloped land for five years and get a proof of improvement on the land, and then they could own it for free or very little charge. This proof is called final proof. Creatures:: settlers.
[2] the close:: the enclosed land.
[3] Administer:: to manage the land; a hint on a government act. her ecstasy:: elevation and happiness of the the land.
[4] Summer:: one who calculates, the person to provide the proof for settlers their land's value.
Homesteads.－The disposal of our public lands has been accelerated by the inauguration of the homestead policy. . . . During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, rapid progress was made in the disposal of the public domain under the homestead provisions. . . . The number of claims upon which final proof was offered during the fiscal year just closed is 4,026. ─ Annual Report of the Department of the Interior (1869)