220 Town and Country. 



secure a moderate living, so that it be a sure one. They argue that the 

 earth produces the very food for which they pay so exorbitantly in the 

 city ; and that that business, at least, is not overdone. Their land will cer- 

 tainly yield enough for family consumption, with something over for the 

 grocer and the butcher. Of the high-priced fruits, of which in the city they 

 rarely ever had enough, they now see unlimited abundance in the glowing 

 future. 



No wonder that seasons of financial difficulty drive multitudes into the 

 country. Land is still amazingly cheap at points within a few hours' travel 

 of the best markets in the world ; but it cannot always continue so. Popu- 

 lation doubles every twenty years ; but no one can double the number of 

 acres. Immigration pours in upon us, much of it dispersing in pursuit of 

 land. Hence it must certainly become dearer. It would be wrong to 

 counsel the man of moderate capital to run deeply into debt for land, un- 

 less it will immediately produce something toward maintaining him ; but 

 he is wise who manages to become the owner of some spot of earth, even 

 if it be held in reserve for future occupancy. 



Men thus breaking away from city life will sometimes realize their utmost 

 expectations, while others will utterly fail to do so. Most of them expect too 

 much ; neither are they sufficiently patient. Our plants grow slowly, and 

 some require years before showing fruit. This contrasts strangely with the 

 fast life they have been living under the gas-lights. Instead of so tardy 

 a realization, they expected an immediate return. Some begin with insuf- 

 ficient means for what they undertake : they buy more land than they can 

 manage, and reserve too small a working capital. Embarrassment in some 

 form is the consequence ; and discouragement and abandonment follow, 

 sometimes resulting in actual loss. One year ago, a young man came fresh 

 from the city, and purchased a very desirable farm of thirty acres of most 

 superior soil, with genteel buildings, and farm-appliances complete. He 

 selected his location with judgment, three miles from this city, and about 

 one from railroad station. The land was more extensively stocked with 

 standard fruits than any similar tract for many miles around ; and fruit was 

 to be the new owner's specialty. There were over thirteen hundred stand- 

 ard trees of the choicest varieties of fruits, all in full bearing. His seven 

 hundred pears and apples had yielded to the former owner some prodi- 



