South of Monticello the land opens into pasture and hayfield, fence lines running off toward Hillsboro under a wide Jasper County sky. Echols Land Management works that country and the town lots too, mowing, string trimming along fences and posts, edging drives and walkways, and clearing the cut grass away. Late summer bakes the Piedmont until the clay cracks, and knowing when to raise the deck so the turf can hold its moisture is part of the job. The satisfaction is standing at the gate afterward and seeing a place read as cared-for from the road all the way to the porch. Neat ground, plain and honest.