404 Transactions of the American Institute. 



July 6, 1869. 



Nathax C. Ely, Esq., in the chair; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



SuALL He Run in Debt for a Fakm ? 



Mr. Samuel Ware of Huntington, Mass., wrote to solicit the advice 

 of the Club as to the propriety or improprietyof borrowing $400 with 

 which to buy an acre of land ; also, if bought if it would be a good 

 idea to plant it with wild blackberries gathered from the fields. 



Mr. J. W. Gregory. — This young man evidently means well, but is 

 likely to start life on a wrong basis. He had better earn his money 

 first, and never forget the sturdy old maxim, " pay as you go." 

 Besides I don't see the sense in his giving $400 an acre for village 

 lots, when by going away a short distance he can get as good soil for 

 $100 an acre. AVill the location alone be worth $300 to him ? 



Mr. A. S. Fuller. — I disagree. I believe a beginner, if he has the 

 right metal in him, will find it an advantage to be crowded, as he 

 would be if he run in debt for land. If he buys it he must pay for 

 it, and ten to one he will pay for it. I remember one person in par- 

 ticular, who shall be nameless here, who, had he not acted on this 

 principle, would have been poor to-day. He is not poor to-day, but 

 pays the taxes on property of which he may well be proud. 



Mr. Thomas Cavanagh. — In answer to the other question, I would 

 advise that correspondent, or any other person who is commencing 

 life for the first time, not to undertake to get along with an inferior 

 9,rticle because it is cheap. Instead of searching among the brambles 

 for wild blackberry buslies, let him borrow money with which to buy 

 the best, or get some amiable nurseryman to trust him till he can turn 

 the corner. I, myself, would have no objection to supplying him 

 witli fifty cuttings of the approved varieties. 



Dr. J. V. C. Smith. — I like this talk of our pleasant friend from 

 Brooklyn. I think he exhibits a feeling which ought to have greater 

 sway among us all. When we see young men trying to help them- 

 selves let us encourage them, and not screw them down ; for thus 

 shall we appeal to their sentiment of pride and honor, and tlie best 

 consequences will ensue. I have noticed that of all debts those 

 contracted for lands, plants, and buildings arc most apt to be paid. 

 Nature has a way of paying up, and she generally teaches that great 

 lessoya to those who Uave much to do with her. 



