August 
In view of my experience on more than one 
occasion, there can be no unkind insinuation in 
the suggestion that if ‘‘one of those fellows 
from the city,’’ wandering through some farm- 
ing district, notes a novel effect of nature in 
earth or air, or espies a strange plant or a rare 
bird, he will soon discover that he is full as 
likely to have his inquiries pleasantly and in- 
telligently solved by applying to someone else 
than the occupant of the grounds. Each one 
knows best the inevitable drudgery of his own 
vocation, but of all pursuits there seems to be 
none that holds its follower in the thraldom of 
a more jaded and spiritless service than that in- 
trinsically noblest of all callings, soil-culture. 
9 
When Nature made the blue jay she must 
have done it as an object-lesson, to show how 
greatly good looks will always be discounted by 
ill-manners. ‘‘ What a handsome creature! ’’ 
one will say, before he knows him. ‘‘ What a 
rascal!’’ after he knows him. “A more pol- 
ished knave than its congener the crow, one 
will be likely to have even less respect for it by 
as much as its first impression is more favor- 
able, and its claims more pretentious. Who- 
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