i3o The Canadian Horticulturist. 



POTN'TERS TO SUCCESS I\ ERUIT C.ROWIXG. 



N fruit-growing, as in any other useful line of life, there arc 

 certain characteristics which need cultivation and practice 

 in order to succeed, and prominent among these are 

 pluck and patience ; especially are they needed in fruit- 

 growing, for there is something so enticing in entering 

 upon it that very many engage in it without sitting down 

 to count the cost, and when they are called to face some stern-visaged realities 

 they falter, waver, get discouraged, and give it up in despair ! Many would-be 

 horticulturists, who have followed some line of business successfully, and have 

 means to retire, think that all they have to do is to buy a piece of land, lay it 

 out to their taste, stock it with fruits of various kinds, invest in novelties and 

 ornamental shrubbery, erect buildings, provide tools, etc., etc., and, of course, 

 in their estimate, success is certain. But, in nine cases out of ten, their fancy has 

 anticipated what they will never realize, and instead of gliding smoothly into a 

 realization of their animated expectations, they are forced to sit down in des- 

 pondency, and the next thing, visible as a fruit of their experience, is a shingle 

 posted on some prominent point of their premises, reading thus : 



This Place For Sale. 



Now, what is the required elements of success in such cases ? Not so much 

 a need of experience in carrying out details, but a settled determination to suc- 

 ceed, and patience to bridge over the unforseen difficulties which have presented 

 themselves. Of course, experience is part of the capital invested, if one has it. 

 he will acquire it by the way, if he persevere ! Another useful thing is a habit 

 of observation, coupled with a spirit of enquiry. If you find your neighbor suc- 

 ceeding in any one or more productions, be inquisitive, and try to find out the 

 secret of his success, and put it in practice yourself. Have a heart in your work, 

 get practical ideas and carry them out, putting your own hand to the work, not 

 entrusting it to a foreman, who in turn hands it over to a " hand ' to perform 

 what you ought to do yourself. I would emphasize the idea of self- experience 

 for two reasons, first, because it is economical, and second, it draws you into and 

 cultivates the experience you need. Gentlemen, gardening seldom pays until 

 the gentleman turns worker. 



Out of all the published theories which meet your eye, try to sift out the 

 wheat of practical utility to suit your own special needs, and you will be surpri.se(i 

 at the amount of " chaff" you will be obliged to reject as impracticable. There 

 is a large percentage of faper gardening and farming afloat, that, if one 

 attempted to practice, even on a small scale, he must leave the question of /av 

 out altogether, and that will never do. Unless your fruit culture /</v.f, that is 

 something l)esidc the cost of production, you will soon get weary and give it up. 



