28 The Principles of Fruit-gromng. 



ment, and sterling honesty. The man should not 

 set before himself the single standard of money- 

 getting, when entering upon a rural life. The end 

 of life is happiness, and it may often be secured 

 just as well on a moderate income as on a large 

 one. It is pernicious to represent that the farmer 

 can become rich, as that term is commonly em- 

 ployed. It is one of the blessings which agriculture 

 bestows upon both the individual and the nation, 

 that it makes its devotees happy and comfortable 

 without making them wealthy. Of all the leading 

 occupations in which men engage, perhaps there is 

 less mere scramble for money in agriculture than 

 anywhere else ; and for this very reason the farmer 

 must forever remain a stalwart and conservative 

 element in our national structure. Farming upon a 

 modest scale is capable of yielding a competent in- 

 come ; but the larger part of the wealth of the 

 small farmer is of a wholly different kind from that 

 of the tradesman or manufacturer. 



It is indisputable that there is always a demand 

 for the best. There is not enough of the best in 

 any commodity. A man cannot make the best unless 

 lie has ability for it. It is more important, there- 

 fore, that the first tillage and fertilizing and prun- 

 ing and spraying should be applied to the man and 

 not to the land nor the crop ; and whilst the man 

 is acquiring discipline for the direct prosecution of 

 his business, he is at the same time opening his 

 mind to all the sweetest pleasures of living. On 

 the other hand, there is always a surplus of the 



