6 The Problem to be Solved 



perfectly the existence of such dangers, and 

 that is one reason why I should no more 

 think of ordinary farm life for myself than I 

 should undertake to compete with an Irish 

 laborer in the raising of potatoes for market. 

 The question resolved itself into this : Is there 

 an occupation, or are there occupations, in 

 which a fairly intelligent man, willing to work, 

 can make a living in the country without re- 

 sorting to the exhausting labor of the farm, 

 for which he is physically unfitted? I deter- 

 mined to make experiments. 



