FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 349 



not far from a shipping point, can make a comfortable living and lay by something 

 for future needs, and where can a man who wishes to engage in the business 

 under such circumstances do better than in Oceana county? With heavy growers 

 the chances for large profits are greatly lessened, for it requires a large outlay of 

 money to care for forty, eighty, or one hundred acres of any kind of fruit; the 

 grubbing, pruning, cultivating, spraying, thinning and picking, none of which can 

 be neglected without loss to the orchardist. I have seen enough fruit go to waste 

 in some orchards to pay all the expenses of picking and putting up the fruit, and 

 among not very large growers either. But the man who adheres strictly to the 

 business in all its details, and raises only choice fruit, will receive good reward 

 for money and labor expended. 



THE FARM THE BEST PLACE TO STAY. 



C. A. CUTLER, NOTTAWA, AT ST. JOSEPH COUNTY INSTITUTE. 



The farm may not turn the money some other business will; there isn't the 

 chance to make money rapidly, neither is there the reverse chance of disastrous 

 failure. A man doesn't usually get rich tilling the soil; but there are some things 

 in the world besides money. Some things money will not buy — contentment and 

 happiness. It may aid in securing them and it may drive them away. We have 

 all heard the storj'' of the millionaire who, when asked what he really got out of 

 his vast fortune, replied. "My board and clothes;" He might perhaps have added 

 power. The possession of happiness does not necessarily follow. It is apt to be 

 found in the humblest home. 



We think the farm is a pleasant place. It may and does have its dark side; it 

 has its bright side, too, its free, healthful, independent out-of-door life, with no 

 overseer or boss to watch and drive. The farmer is his own master. With no 

 vision of a lost place for tomorrow to mar the pleasure of today, he goes quietly on 

 his way. as free from care and worry perhaps as a man can be. He faces today, 

 it is true, hard times, poor crops and low prices. Friend Sharp has called upon us to 

 come each with his remedy for the hard times. Hard work, economy, careful plan- 

 ning, close attention to business, are remedies that may properly be suggested at a 

 Farmers' Institute, where planning and the study of agriculture are the order of 

 the day. Much has been done to render farm life pleasanter, brighter, more profit- 

 able and more honored. You may reach the outside world by railroad, telegraph, 

 telephone or mail with marvelous quickness. The roads are improved, the schools 

 are better, and it would be hard to find a country where life and property are any 

 safer than they are here. In conclusion, we think that a quiet, even, secure life, 

 is to the average mortal desirable. Agriculture, the greatest single industry of the 

 world, offers that. It is a good calling, an honorable calling, and it merits the con- 

 sideration of any young man who is choosing his life work. 



BOYS ON THE FARM. 



F. C. SMITH, GLADWIN, AT GLADWIN COUNTY INSTITUTE. 



Some eight years' experience in the care and handling of boys warrants me in 

 saying that they are not naturally lazy, but are capable of doing, and will do, a 

 large amount of profitable work if properly interested and directed. Here's the 

 key to the whole matter: keep the boy's hand and mind both fully occupied. Keep a 

 boy hoeing corn steadily alone all day and he will have discussed the subject with 

 himself until it is worn threadbare, and he will be very reluctant to attack the same 

 field again, but go with him, get him interested, and perhaps close a deal whereby 

 he is to have a small share in the crop and he will work with you cheerfully. Such 

 agreements when so made should be religiously carried out. The promise of a dol- 

 lar, a holiday or a share in some crop should never be repudiated. I have seen 

 men whose paper was held at 100 cents on the dollar that would rob and cheat their 



