TAKING REINS IN HAND. 57 



I may remark here, in way of warning to those 

 who undertake the renovation of slatternly country 

 places, with exuberant spirits, that it is a task which 

 often seems easier than it proves. More especially 

 is this the case where there is an accumulation 

 of old walls, and of unsightly, clumsy-shaped rocks 

 to be dealt with. They may indeed be transferred 

 to new walls ; but this involves an expenditure, often 

 times, which no legitimate estimate of a farm revenue 

 will warrant ; and I propose to illustrate in this book 

 no theories of improvement, whether as regards orna 

 mentation or increased productiveness, which a 

 sound economy will not authorize. Agricultural suc 

 cesses which are the result of simple, lavish expendi 

 ture, without reference to agricultural returns, are 

 but empty triumphs ; no success in any method of 

 culture is thoroughly sound and praiseworthy, except 

 it be imitable, to the extent of his means, by the 

 smallest farmer. The crop that is grown at twice its 

 market value to the bushel, may possibly suggest a 

 hint to the scientific theorist ; but it will never be 

 emulated by the man whose livelihood depends upon 

 the product of his farm. Those who transfer the 

 accumulated fortunes of the city to the country, for 

 the encouragement of agriculture, should bear in 

 mind, first of all, that their endeavors will have- 

 healthy influence, only so far as they are imitable ; 

 3* 



