106 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the farmer's purse but also to increase his love and reverence for the 

 nobilitj' of his calling. 



Let the boy understand that the farmer is a manufacturer, the 

 elements of plant life in the soil or in the fertilizers applied consti- 

 tute his raw material, and that his finished product i^ neither to}' nor 

 ornament, but that which God intended should be used by man to 

 subdue the earth and extend our civilization. 



No gainful occupation in which man can engage is so calculated 

 to develop an acquaintance with and reverence for the Creator as 

 that of planting the seed and cultivating plant, fruit and flower. 

 Said Mr. Barker, a year ago, I never cover a seed and watch its 

 development without feeling grateful that my attention was ever 

 called in that direction. 



Every young man who is about to decide upon an occupation for 

 life should consider very carefully the eflJect his occupation must 

 necessarily have upon the mental, physical, and moral development 

 of his family. There is no fact in history more certainly proven 

 than that the farmer's son has far more chances of success than the 

 son of the city merchant, banker or lawyer. He is surrounded by 

 far less that is evil and he must receive some inspiration from the 

 violet upon the ground, the butterfly in the air, the bird in the tree 

 or the star twinkling above him. All of these have a voice that 

 speaks to his soul from another land. It has been beautifully said, 

 ''Ever}' flower is a tender thought, every field a beautiful picture, 

 and every forest a fairy land." 



A boy brought up on the farm who is industrious, thoughtful and 

 inquisitive, finds in his occupation a liberal education. No business 

 is more calculated to develop both mind and muscle, consequently 

 we find nearly all the leaders at the bar, upon the rostrum and in 

 the pulpit began life in the country. Volumes might be truly written 

 to show the advantages of life devoted to agricultural pursuits, and 

 could a large part of the mechanics, artisans and operatives but 

 know how much more of all that is worth living for can be obtained 

 upon the farm than in the city, we should hear no more of deserted 

 homesteads, and the problem of vacant farms would find an easy 

 solution. 



Ever}' day I become more and more convinced of the great advan- 

 tages to be derived from institutes and societies of this character 

 where we can come together and learn of each other the latest dis- 

 coveries, the best methods and go home better prepared to prosecute 



