390 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Then listened to an essa^' on 



WHAT AVE LEARN BY FAILURE. 



BY S. W. SHAW, OF MINOT. 



What is truth? What is error? These questions have in all ages 

 engaged the attention of the wisest, and the wisest have sometimes 

 made mistakes. As affecting the various avocations of life, their 

 correct solution is as vital as the air. The line which separates the false 

 from the true is sometimes so faintly marked, so obscured by plaus- 

 ible speculations that the honest inquirer after truth embraces error 

 instead and in its pursuit plunges into failure. 



The most beautiful theory, if at variance with the teaching of 

 experience, like the will-o'the-wisp of the valley, leads its A'otaiy 

 into the pitfalls of disappointment. It is safe to follow only when 

 theor}' and practice unite in leading the way. The theorizer of to- 

 day says that the farmer should live mainl}' on the products of his 

 own farm, and refers to the practice of the fathers in its support. 

 It is true they so lived and were prosperous. In our time many 

 have attempted the same thing and failed. Whence their failure? 



It is said our remote ancestors lived in caves, and subsisted on 

 roots and nuts dug from the ground with their fingers, and as far as 

 we know, were satisfied. Who would now be willing to revive the 

 practices and the civilization of the olden time? Neither do we 

 believe it best or practicable to follow the former practices except 

 under similar conditions which, in most cases, do not exist, as must 

 be apparent to the most careless observer. Steam, the railroad, 

 manufactures and mechanical ing(;nuity have completely revolution- 

 ized the whole fabric of industrial and social life. It is not wise to 

 resist the inevitable. The opportunities for agricultural progress 

 and development b}' the introduction of a more varied and profitable 

 production were never, it is believed, better than to-da}'. 



New industries are taking the place of the old, and in some cases 

 the old, in response to an increased demand, have come to the front 

 with a prominence not possible before. Of the latter class is fruit 

 growing. This, we have no doubt, is to become one of the most 

 remunerative, as it is one of the most agreeable occupations of the 

 farm, in a large part of the State. In the prosecution of this 

 industry' in the past, failures indeed, not often absolute, but com- 

 paratively such, it is to be regretted, have too often occurred, and 



