322 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



poor, impoverished and worn out farm, worth less than when he 

 went on it; and finally, he will pass away without being missed or 

 regretted as a benefactor of his race. 



Now let us turn from this picture to the other young man, who 

 commences at the same time and under the same circumstances. 

 He starts out in life with a laudable ambition to improve his con- 

 dition, both morally, intellectually and financially; he will study 

 the nature of his soil, and, with the aid of agricultural works, he 

 will endeavor to ascertain what crops are adapted to it, and what 

 he will want to apply to give him the greatest possible yield from 

 the smallest plat of ground, so that when he comes to harvest it, 

 he will have a crop that will yield him a surplus of profit above all 

 expense of cultivating, so that at the end of the year he may have 

 a satisfactory bank account in his favor, that he may be enabled to 

 supply himself with the most improved farming machinery to 

 lighten his labor, and cultivate to the best advantage. He is care- 

 ful to increase his compost heaps with all the means within his 

 reach, and protect it from the weather, so all the elements of plant 

 food may be retained for the growth of crops and enrichment of 

 his land. He seeds all his land to grass; sows plaster. His fields are 

 covered with a rich verdure of grass; he keeps a large stock of the 

 best breeds of cattle, that are always in fine condition and will 

 command the best price in market; he takes a number of papers 

 and is always posted on the market, and knows when to take ad- 

 vantage of it so as to get the best prices for his products; he fur- 

 nishes himself with all labor-saving machinery, so that he does not 

 have to work as hard as some of his neighbors; he has more time 

 to read and cultivate his intellect; he lives better, and has more 

 of the comforts and luxuries of life. 



His house is better furnished, his children better educated, better 

 dressed and more intelligent. As you pass his place, you will see 

 everything about it in a neat, snug and thrifty condition; you will 

 see the farm and garden well stocked with fruit and vegetables; 

 the yard adorned with shade trees, shrubs and flowers; his porch 

 covered with vines, and the surroundings wearing a refined, cheer- 

 ful aspect, that makes a paradise of beauty; that attracts the family 

 as a loving household; that is beautiful not only to them but to 

 their friends. You enter the drawing room; you will see the book 

 shelves well stocked with useful and entertaining books; the center 



