WILL, WATER AND WORK 21 



farmer, which is often indulged in by those who know little of the 

 local situation and conditions, is really unwarranted. California 

 conditions, both in nature and in farm policy, are so varied that 

 criticisms and upbraidings are often misplaced. And yet it is per- 

 fectly true that vegetables should be grown on farms in Califor- 

 nia much more generally and in far greater variety than they have 

 been hitherto. It is not the intention of the writer to urge this 

 improvement upon sentimental considerations nor to claim as 

 many seem inclined to do, that it is possible to compass it by the 

 fiat method. Too many of our critics seem to hold that all the 

 farmer has to do is to declare that there shall be a garden and 

 one will spring up around his footsteps with ideal succulence, 

 richness and deliciousness. It will be better to attempt to show 

 that there is an opportunity, providing its requirements be duly 

 met, and that there are really fewer difficulties in the way and 

 greater rewards for prompt and intelligent effort than many of our 

 farmers imagine. And this can be shown without elaborate argu- 

 ment. A more striking demonstration will probably lie in showing 

 to the many the success of the few, in order that they may draw 

 therefrom lessons and exhortations for their own incitement and 

 success. This service will be constantly held in view as this work 

 proceeds. 



Essentials to Success in Gardening. There are three requi- 

 sites to success in gardening and they may be arranged in allitera- 

 tion thus, Will, Water, Work. They also stand in the order of 

 their relative importance in California. Without a strong impulse 

 in the will it is vain to expect work and water to do their best. If 

 the will is born of taste, liking, enthusiasm, the task will be de- 

 lightful and the results grand in every way. Unless one has some 

 joy in the rich, moist earth as it yields its fragrance to the touch 

 of his tools; unless he can glory in the quick, responsive growth 

 of the plant when his culture suits its nature, and unless he find 

 pride and satisfaction in the armful of delicious vegetables which 

 he brings each day to his helpmeet, with the dewdrops of the early 

 morning still sparkling upon their foliage, his gardening will never 

 be an easy task though it may be conscientiously and successfully 

 discharged. 



But although it is possible to make a good and profitable 

 garden from a sense of duty and though work will reach its due 

 reward even though one can never bring himself to see that the 



