22 STUDIES OF OCCUPATIONS IN AGRICULTURE 



frosts, insects, and other blights; the seasonal nature of the 

 occupation; the need of the most constant and painstaking 

 care of young plants; the fact that the sale of nursery products 

 is limited mostly to the more progressive farmers and others in 

 agricultural pursuits, apple growing, for instance, having 

 actually suffered a decline in this country since 1895; the need 

 of extensive advertising to reach widely situated country dis- 

 tricts. 



5. Preparation: Training in an agricultural school or college or 

 study in extension classes and lecture courses upon agriculture, 

 with special attention given to seed growing and plant propa- 

 gation. One may begin as a helper in a nursery, either with 

 or without previous study, and secure training under an ex- 

 perienced foreman or superintendent. School attendance, 

 however, is desirable in most cases and especially for those who 

 wish to advance to management in the industry. An un- 

 trained man with the necessary capital may establish a nursery 

 and carry it on by means of trained workers. 



6. Other requirements: An interest in nature and in plant life; 

 ability to do faithful detailed work; intelligence sufficient to 

 understand the scientific side of the occupation; ability for 

 management and for conducting the business side of the in- 

 dustry. 



7. Income : The nursery employee earns about the same as skilled 

 workers in other branches of agriculture, or from $2.00 a day to 

 $5.00 or $6.00, according to sections of the country and the 

 magnitude of production in a nursery. For workers in steady 

 employment wages are usually put on a monthly basis. Fore- 

 men and superintendents receive salaries varying from $100 a 

 month to several thousand dollars a year. 



8. Effect on the Worker : The nurseryman is recognized as a use- 

 ful worker in increasing and improving the national food supply; 

 his work tends to refine rather than coarsen his nature, and to 

 give him health and contentment; he has plenty of time be- 

 tween busy seasons for recreational or other activities. 



9. References: 



De Vries, Hugo. Plant-Breeding, chap, iv, the production of 

 horticultural novelties by Luther Burbank. 



