CROPS AND PROFITS. 215 



and larger triumphs, and a more Christian amplitude 

 of life, could not be worth the following. Nothing 

 about it or in it seemed to have affinity with the 

 great springs of human progress otherwheres ; a 

 lumpish, serf life, it seemed bound to the glebe, 

 and cropping its nourishment thence, like kine. 



Again, the extravagance of those who have 

 undertaken farming as a mere amusement, has 

 greatly damaged its character as a pursuit worthy 

 the enlistment of earnest workers. Our friend, Mr. 

 Tallweed, who, with his Wall-street honors fresh 

 upon him, comes to the country to grow tomatoes at 

 a cost of five dollars the dozen, and who puts a sack 

 of superphosphate to a garden row of sweet corn, 

 may make monstrosities for the exhibition tables, but 

 he is not inviting emulation ; he is simply commit- 

 ting an Agricultural debauch. And an Agricultural 

 debauch pays no better than any other. 



But between these extremes, there is room for a 

 sober business faculty, and for an array of good 

 sense. With these two united, success may be 

 counted on ; not brilliant perhaps, for in farming 

 there are no opportunities for sudden or explosive 

 success. The farmer digs into no gold lead. He 

 springs no trap, like the lawyer or tradesmen. His 

 successes, when most decided, are orderly, normal, 

 and cumulative. He must needs bring a cool tern- 



