32 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



mother," as the Germans say, beamed often at her children 

 over a great dish of berries flanked by a pitcher of un- 

 skimmed milk, not only good blood and good feeling would 

 be developed, but something that the poets call ^' early 

 ties." 



There is one form of gambling or speculation that, within 

 proper limits, is entirely innocent and healthful, — the rais- 

 ing of new seedling fruits and the testing of new varieties. 

 In these pursuits the elements of chance, skill, and judgment 

 enter so evenly that they are an unfailing source of pleasur- 

 able excitement. The catalogues of plant, tree, and seed 

 dealers abound in novelties. The majority of them cannot 

 endure the test of being grown by the side of our well-known 

 standard kinds, but now and then an exceedingly valuable 

 variety, remarkable for certain qualities or peculiarly adapted 

 to special localities and uses, is developed. There is not 

 only an unfailing pleasure in making these discoveries, but 

 often a large profit. If, three or four years ago, a country 

 boy had bought a dozen Sharpless strawberry- plants, and 

 propagated from them, he might now obtain several hun- 

 dred dollars from their increased numbers. Time only can 

 show whether this novelty will become a standard variety, 

 but at present the plants are in great demand. 



The young people of a country home may become deeply 

 interested in originating new seedlings. A thousand straw- 

 berry seeds will produce a thousand new kinds, and, al- 

 though the prospects are that none of them will equal those 

 now in favor, something very fine and superior may be ob- 

 tained. Be this as it may, if these simple natural interests 

 prevent boys and girls from being drawn into the maelstrom 

 of city life until character is formed, each plant will have a 

 value beyond silver or gold. 



One of the supreme rewards of human endeavor is a true 



