STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 39 



certain warmth and heartiness which then prevailed is missing 

 from the social gatherings with which we are familiar. 



It has been said that the young people of to-day are more 

 inclined to cultivate their heels than their heads. My dear 

 friends, let not this be said of us. The long winter evenings on 

 the farm give much time for study and reading and for im- 

 provement in all ways. See to it that we do not let this time 

 pass in idleness, without making some effort to better our men- 

 tal and moral character. 



None of us would care to be called "a drone in the hive," and 

 we must improve our youth — it will not stay. 



Good literature can now be bought so cheaply that the poorest 

 of us have no excuse for being without good books. Many 

 farmers' boys and girls are obliged to leave school before they 

 have acquired as high an education as they desire, and much can 

 be done to perfect themselves in their studies by spending a part 

 of their evenings, at least, with their books. 



While there is much hard work on a farm and many young 

 people sigh for release from such a hum-drum life, and long for 

 the bustle and activity of a great city, they must remember that 

 there is no trade or employment that can be made successful 

 without persistent, steady effort, and there is no royal road to 

 money-making without hard toil, both with hand and brain. 



Agricultural pursuits are seldom overcrowded and the induce- 

 ments to young men to remain on the farm to continue in this 

 line of business, become greater and greater with the improve- 

 ments in farming methods. 



It seems to me that each one should have some special aim- in 

 life, should try to find out and cultivate what seems to be their 

 "one talent," whatever that may be. Of course, if one has no 

 liking for farm life or work he had better choose something else 

 more suited to his taste, and then do all in his power to make a 

 success of the chosen work. 



Boys and girls! do not be too anxious to leave the farm, think- 

 ing it the worst place there is. Many have left home dazzled by 

 the glamour and bright prospects their imagination pictured, but 

 were doomed to bitter disappointment and failure. 



Commercial and professional classes are now so overcrowded 

 that success in them has become quite uncertain. Many who are 

 engaged in clerking and similar occupations, hold positions for 

 years on a meagre salary, in situations which have become 

 burdensome to them, simply because they are unable to find 

 others. 



Of course it rests with our parents, in a great measure, whether 

 our homes are made attractive or not. In the humblest homes 

 order, thrift and cheerfulness may abound, and where these are 

 found contentment is seldom missing. Who of us having spent 

 all of our life in the country would willingly exchange our home 



