ANNUAL MEETING. 181 



think that they were the favored one of all their bretliren. Let us open our eyes 

 to these beautiful attractions, and profit by them as it well becomes us. 

 Fifth, 



BUSINESS TACT. 



It is needless to come here among you as a body of fruit growers, and to 

 think I could teacli you anything either of tlie nature or the practice of this 

 trait. It means something that you all know is indispensably necessary to 

 success in any business, but more emphatically so in this. Woe be to the man, 

 whatever be his station in life, who launches out in business without it. The 

 absence of it means certain failure, while the possession of it just as surely 

 means success. What can you put your hand upon tliat will so quickly and so 

 effectually develop this tine and valuable trait of character like the practice of 

 fruitgrowing? Sixth, 



HABITUAL INDUSTRY. 



I am afraid that I shall be in danger of provoking the smiles of some at the 

 bare mention of this as a valuable trait of character. It implies something 

 that I know to be unpopular, especially amongst the young of our day. But 

 you who are fruit growers know the worth of it, and how you came by it, and 

 what it has done for you. If we mean to attain anything that is valuable, we 

 must work for it. Only disgrace and ruin in character and fortune come by 

 doing nothing. Be not deceived, my brethren, "from nothing, nothing pro- 

 ceeds," and without a settled habitual industry, there is not the spectre of a 

 hope for many of us. It is an old doctrine " That labor is the source of the 

 wealth of the State." If this is so, how much of the wealth of the State do 

 you own? Some of you who are successful fruit growers, I know could own 

 much, but labor is also her own reward, and in proportion as " Her labors 

 rise, so her rewards increase." So each of you get the rewards of your labor, 

 whether they be many or few. Work on then, you faithful fruit growers. 

 Weary not nor faint, for your rewards will come. Your habits of industry 

 which you have so carefully cultivated shall be to you as a never failing bank 

 of resources. To the man Avho is ashamed or afraid of honest labor, let me 

 say, keep clear ! Never enter here ! for there are no laurels for you in your 

 unproductive and useless life. But seventh and lastly, 



PKOUD SUCCESS. 



What is more inviting, more captivating than a climax like this? Is it not 

 what we all labor for and so much desire? Statesmen, lawyers, poets, arti- 

 ficers, menials from the highest to the lowest ranks of society, what but for 

 this are you straining every nerve and jeopardizing even your lives? Farmers, 

 fruit-growers, educate your sous to love fruit and to be skilled in its produc- 

 tion ! To all enter these fair and beautiful fields and work while it is day. 

 Devote your energies to the good of your species, and to the production of 

 beautiful fruits, and your success is certain and your rewards shall follow you. 



Having just glanced hurriedly at some of the more prominent of the manly 

 virtues brought out by the practice of fruit-growing in our country, 1 wish as 

 briefly as possible to glance at a part of the subject that I have long had in 

 my contemplation, and which, as far as I am aware, is not well brought out 

 by any of our horticultural writers. It is 



