THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 421 



little attention, at least in one direction. We are rightly at much pains to col- 

 lect and diflfuse useful information about growing fruit; but what is wanted — 

 sadly wanted — is some kind of reasonable security that the farmer shall have 

 the Use and enjoyment of his fruit alter he luis grown it. It is a lamentable 

 fact, and a disgraceful one, that the stealing of fruit in this country is too gen- 

 erally not regarded as a crime, and to be punished as such. Men who think it 

 dishonorable to steal your purse do not think it dishonorable to steal your fruit. 

 They may be the victims of some kind ot casuistry which recognizes a diflfer- 

 ence between the two acts ; but I confess that I am totally unable to perceive it. 

 It is too much for my logic or my common apprehension of right and wrong. 

 We talk a good deal, and to some purpose, about the clepredationsof insects and 

 birds; but it seems to me to be quite necessary to talk a good deal more, and 

 very pointedly, too, about the depredations of the genus homo, who are more 

 destructive and more to be dreadeil than the insects and the birds; for I think 

 it could be easily proved that the fruit-grower suffers more in his pocket from 

 men and boys than from insects and birds. It is amislortune for a fruit-grower 

 to be located near acity, a village, a hotel, or a summer boarding house. I speak 

 from what I have seen and suffered. 



