156 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ONE FATAL MISTAKE. 



One of the most fatal mistakes of our race is our disregard and contempt for 

 little things. VVe all want to do something great. We wish and long for large 

 possessions, and to carry on business extensively. Many, if they can't have a large 

 farm, or a large orchard, won't have any. The American idea is to at once soar to- 

 the top of the ladder of fame and wealth, in place of honestly and patiently climb- 

 ing, step by step. Instead of the son beginning as his father did, he wants to 

 commence where the old man left off, and many, because they can't achieve wealth 

 and fame at once, become discouraged, sour and morose, and soon drift into the 

 ranks of the great army of tramps and vagabonds that are besieging our great 

 cities, and are fast becoming a menace to our State and nation. 



NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT WE CANNOT DO. 



How much better it would be, if none would despise the day of small things, 

 or refuse and reject small opportuoities ; if we would oaly do with our might 

 whatsoever our hands find to do, remembering that the hand of the diligent maketh 

 rich. Let us remember that we will be held responsible for the one talent we have,, 

 but not for the many we have not; for the small opportunity of doing what we 

 can, and not for the great opportunity of doing what neither God nor man expects 

 us to do. 



Many men of small means imagine if they had the rich man's wealth to start 

 with they would soon achieve success, but this is a great mistake. In some cases 

 it would only tend to make their condition worse. I once knew a man who had 

 100 acres of rough, cheap land, on wh'ch he was making a comfortable living. Oil 

 was found near by, the rich man came and paid him $100,000 for his farm ; with 

 this he embarked in speculations of which he knew nothing, and lost all. With 

 farm and money both gone, his condition was worse than when he was worth but 

 a few hundred dollars. Even the sharp, shrewd, money-making rich, in their 

 greed for more, often overreach themselves and lose all ; but if not, and if by sharp 

 practice and combination of capital, soulless corporations and blighting trusts, 

 they at last succeed in amassing great wealth, and building princely homes upon 

 the ruins of their fellow-men, what then? The last sad scene in life's great drama, 

 death! When the death of J. Gould was made known, all Wall street was in a 

 flurry to know how much money he left, and some thoughtful sage replied, he left 

 it all. 



THE POOR man's HELPER. 



But wherein is fruit-growing the poor man's forte? In the fact that it does 

 not necessarily require a large amount of cipital to engage in the business ; a very 

 few acres of cheap land v^ ill do to commence on, which, if planted in small fruits 

 and well cared for, will soon yield enough to live on, and, if continued, will pay 

 for a good farm. We know of men here in Missouri this year who cleared from 

 $100 up to $500 per acre on berries. Then again, the planting, care and cultivation 

 of trees and vines, the picking, grading and packing of fruit, require to be done 

 by hand labor, and with such care as but few, save those who are interested, will 

 give it; hence the fruit-grower has abetter chance to hold his own against capital 

 than in almost any other occupation. 



THE USB OF MACHINERY. 



In many of the leading industries, capital and labor-saving machinery have 

 made such radical and wonderful changes that there is but little, if any, chance 



