WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GARDENING. 141 



There is no prettier sight to my eye than 

 a gardener on a ladder in his grape-arbor, 

 in these golden days, selecting the heaviest 

 clusters of grapes, and handing them down 

 to one and another of a group of neighbors 

 and friends, who stand under the shade of 

 the leaves, flecked with the sunlight, and 

 cry, " How sweet ! " " What nice ones ! " 

 and the like, remarks encouraging to the 

 man on the ladder. It is great pleasure to 

 see people eat grapes. 



Moral Truth. I have no doubt that 

 grapes taste best in other people's mouths. 

 It is an old notion that it is easier to be gen- 

 erous than to be stingy. I am convinced 

 that the majority of people would be gen- 

 erous from selfish motives, if they had the 

 opportunity. 



Philosophical Observation. Nothing 

 shows one who his friends are, like prosper- 

 ity and ripe fruit. I had a good friend in 

 the country, whom I almost never visited 

 except in cherry-time. By your fruits you 

 shall know them. 



