164 HISTORY OK HORTICL'LTURE IX MINNESOTA. 



Every horticulturist .should improve his leisure time at this season of the 

 year, in such reading and study as will qualify him more thoroughly for his 

 profession. 



I sajprufest/ioft because horticulture is the highest grade of soil cultivation, 

 and is really as much of a profession as any other pursuit, and it is coming 

 to be regarded more and more as a learned profession. 



It is not mere manual labor. It requires brain-work as well as hand-work, 

 and he will be most successful who has the most thorough knowiedge of the 

 scientitic principles on which it is based. 



The standard of education lias been greatly elevated within the last few 

 years, and while probably but few can acquire what is called a liberal educa- 

 tion, every man, even in the round of his daily duties, and especially in the 

 leisure hours of our long winters, can do much to acquire such knowledge as 

 he can turn to practical account in his business, and which will make him a 

 more influential and useful member of society. 



A careful and attentive study of the various works on horticulture during 

 the season when little or no out door work can be done, compared with your 

 own experience, will form an excellent basis for laying plans for the coming 

 year, and give reason to hope that the results of each succeeding year may 

 exceed the previous one. 



Every man should look out upon the comnumity in which he is living and 

 ask himself what ne can do for its improvement. 



Public spirit is a quality which every one is bound to cultivate. 



There are enterprises in which all have a common interest, and although 

 they may not bring a direct pecuniary gain to all those who advocate them, if 

 they promote the public good, each one shotild take an interest in their 

 advancement. 



To those who have chosen horticulture as the business of their lives, I wish 

 to sav "honor your calling." Nothing is more common than to hear men 

 finding fault with their occupation, and calling themselves unfortunate because 

 stern necessity compels them to cotinue in a pursuit long after it has become 

 distasteful. 



A man should put his heart, and soul and strength into everything he does. 

 Every business or profession has its peculiar cares, vexatious and disappoint- 

 ments. 



These are the common lot of humanity, and he that thinks to escape them 

 by changing from one business or occupation to another, will only meet with 

 disappointment. 



As a writer, whom I have forgotten, says " How foolish, then, to lament 

 over, or attempt to avert the inevitable. Brooding over our disappointments 

 only gives them strength, and sours and embitters existence. On the other 

 hand, a man has the power to shed beauty and pleasure on the homeliest 

 calling. He should adopt his business in accordance with his tastes, and 

 then surround it with pleasant associations : should look at the good that is 

 around him, and forget the evil. He should accept his lot in life as a farmer 

 does a rugged piece of ground, and begin at once to dig out the roots, remove 



