A LITTLE LAND 274 



AND A LIVING 



give him entire charge of a plot of ground and 

 let the product of his labor be his. The culti- 

 vation of the soil has been proved an effectual 

 means of development along wholesome lines 

 when the members of any institution are al- 

 lowed to get the most they can out of the soil, 

 and to have what they get. On the other hand, 

 it has no more value than the "weeding" when 

 they are treated simply as hired hands. 



When a boy shows an inclination toward gar- 

 dening he should be given a plot, shown how to 

 plant it, encouraged to make a study of agricul- 

 ture, and allowed all the returns. This will make 

 him regard farming or gardening as a business, 

 rather than merely as an occupation; that is the 

 first step toward restoring agriculture to its 

 proper place. 



Take in good agricultural journals, secure re- 

 liable books and discuss possibilities with him. 

 Children treated in this way surprise us by their 

 original and practical ideas. A boy who has 

 gathered the fruits of his toil, read and studied 

 good agricultural papers, will want to know more 

 than these can give him. He should then be given 



