44 WORCKSTKR COUNTY HORTICULTURAL Si^ClETY. [tS/Q 



sarily surpass the yield from a little land well tilled by the cun- 

 ning hand and fitting tool. Men are so different — in physical 

 force and natural aptitude, — that a task which might be little 

 more than play for one, would almost overwhelm another. Yet 

 France has shown the possibility of a nation becoming not only 

 prosperous, but wealthy, from individual labor upon small allot- 

 ments. Her people are reported to be mostly engaged in use- 

 ful occupations, although her chief city has its full share of 

 idlers who toil not, neither do they spin. But, from the English 

 or American loafer, who will not dig, and is never so proud as 

 when he begs ; whose fixed creed is that the world owes him a 

 living, and who takes good care, in collecting the debt, not to 

 get beaten on the execution ; France is measurably as happily 

 exempt. Her farming is essentially gardening, as depicted by 

 Mr. Gladstone ; the earnest, popular, productive employment of 

 a national life. When the young American can learn that con- 

 tentment is better than riches ; that enough is as good as a 

 feast ; he may find, to his surprise, that a subsistence, at least, is 

 within his reach. In a manlier life than is offered by that in- 

 cessant treadmill of the city, from boarding-house, over kerb- 

 stone or behind the counter ; discontented and anxious because 

 without sufficient occupation ; and only too ready to pull down 

 others who, howsoever willing, are unable to supply all with 

 high wages for little work. The Earth, after all, is a bounteous 

 mother; she welcomes all to her arms, and responds eagerly to 

 their caresses. Forged notes and fraudulent shares are not of 

 her increase. But she is ever ready to yield manifold to him 

 whose steady industry places him above repining ; whose de- 

 sires, like his needs, are kept under control ; and to whom 



" Better is a dinner of herbs, whei-e love is, than a stalled ox and hatred 

 therewith." 



But why waste time and words in a feebler expression of 

 what was so forcibly and tersely stated in a quaint rhyme of 



GARDEN LORE. 

 " Every child who has gardening tools 

 " Should learn by heart these gardening rules. 



