THE HOME GARDEN A BLESSING 21 



suited to garden locations was a misconception. Instances are ample 

 to show not only that proper practice brings ample success almost 

 everywhere, but such practice, coupled with intelligent planning, 

 yields such variety of delicious esculents as only a semi-tropical 

 climate allows. This is one of the distinctive advantages of Cali- 

 fornia and it favors the development of small farms of mixed hus- 

 bandry as well as those devoted to specialties. Of course there are 

 limitations and locations should be selected with discrimination for 

 either mixed or special farming. The mixed farm in an ever-grow- 

 ing climate makes requirements it is true, but it also bestows com- 

 pensations. As the forces ministering to growth are continuously 

 active, the full use of them bespeaks corresponding activity on the 

 part of man. There must be a determination to make almost every 

 moment tell in some useful effort. There will be play for the sharp- 

 est ingenuity in devising means and methods for time-saving and 

 ceaseless study to make the soil bear the burden of the table to the 

 fullest degree. Small farming requires genius, devotion, and a spirit 

 of content. Its work, when one acquires or is born with a liking 

 for it, is full of cheer and enjoyment. Its varied nature is itself a 

 charm. The trees, vines, plants, and domestic animals will rise 

 almost to the plane of companionship. Man, wife and children will 

 join in the spirit of the enterprise they are carrying on with united 

 heart and hand, and love for home will grow and blossom forth as 

 it seldom does in mansions or on princely estates. Thus the modest 

 calling has its compensations. 



The influence of such home upon the state is most salutary. 

 Sound ideas of economy become prevalent ; honor and honesty are 

 qualities which win popular approval. Thus, the state becomes 

 really prosperous and sound at the core. The crowning need of 

 California agriculture is to build up enterprises which will stand 

 alone. We have been leaning too long on the shoulders of bankers 

 and commission merchants and commanders of country stores. 

 Without them it is true much that has been done could not have 

 been accomplished, but it is also true that many losing efforts which 

 have been vainly put forth would never have been attempted, and 

 those who have made these efforts would be the better for it. Who 

 can tell how many would have attained moderate and comfortable 

 successes if they had started without encumbrance on a modest plan 

 instead of wasting time with big schemes whose whole returns have 

 gone to feed hungry mortgages and interest accounts, until failure 

 has swept from them the property which they proudly hoped to 

 possess ? 



But why intrude this homily? The garden is one of the ele- 

 ments of success in mixed farming. Around it other elements 

 naturally gather. As gleaners and profitable transformers of gar- 

 den wastes and surpluses into home supplies and garden restoratives, 

 the cow, the pig, and the hen await outside the garden fence. Be 

 sure to keep them there, and the garden will be a liberal contributor 

 to their vigor and productiveness. 



