MY FARM OF EDGEWOOD 



The finest shows of fruits at the autumn 

 fairs — excepting always those of the professed 

 nurserymen — are made, in three cases out of 

 five, by mechanics, or by business men, who 

 have brought to this Httle episode in their Hfe, 

 the methodical habits, and the observance of 

 details, which govern their ordinary business 

 duties. Not being in the way of leaving book 

 accounts, or stock on hand, to take care of 

 themselves, they are no more inclined to leave 

 an investment in trees or orcharding — to take 

 care of itself. They reckon upon care at the 

 outset, and they bestow it. The farmer, who 

 has complacently smiled at their inexperience 

 in tillage, and is confounded by the results, 

 will loosely attribute them all to a lavish and 

 thriftless expenditure of money. But the con- 

 clusion is neither logical, nor warranted, — in 

 the majority of instances, — by the facts. No 

 superior fruit can be grown without labor and 

 extreme care, and if these be controlled by a 

 business system, they will be far more econom- 

 ically bestowed, than when subject to no order 

 in their application. 



From time to time I observe that some ven- 

 erable old gentleman in my neighborhood is 

 overtaken by one of those sporadic fevers of 

 improvement, which will sometimes, and very 



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