CROPS AND PROFITS. 177 



(Cherry and White-Grape being the best), it may be 

 brought to make a very pretty show as a dessert 

 fruit. But as I never knew it to be eaten very 

 freely at dessert, however finely it might look, I 

 have not thought it worth while to push its propor- 

 tions for a mere show upon the exhibition tables. 

 The amateurs would smile at those I have ; but 1 

 console myself with reflecting that they smile at a 

 great deal of goodness which is not their own. 

 They are full of conceit I say it charitably. I like 

 to upset their proprieties. 



There was one of them, an excellent fellow (if he 

 had not been pomologically starched and jaundiced), 

 who paid me a visit in my garden not long ago, 

 bringing his little son, who had been educated 

 strictly in the belief that all fine fruit was made not 

 to be enjoyed, but for pomological consideration. 

 The dilettante papa was tip-toeing along with a look 

 of serene and well-bred contempt for my mildewed 

 gooseberries and scrawny currants, when I broke 

 off a brave bough loaded with Tartarian cherries, 

 and handed it to the lad, with " Here, Harry, my 

 boy, we farmers grow these things to eat ! " 



What a grateful look of wonderment in his clear 

 gray eyes ! 



The broken limb, the heresy of the action, the 

 suddenness of it all, were too much for my fine friend. 

 8* 



