208 GARDENS AND THEIR MEANING 



that the instinct for cooperation, feeble though it appears at 

 times, perverted though it may often be, is really firmly rooted 

 in the heart of man. We are brothers all ; given half a chance 

 and the brotherhood of man asserts itself. We will not yield 

 here to the temptation of discussing how this instinct of the 

 race has become dulled. True it is, no doubt, that the feelings 

 of confidence and brotherhood are not so much blunted as 

 stratified. Put in geological terms, each stratum would repre- 

 sent a certain distinct standard of living. According to this 

 idea a person might readily understand the struggles and 

 triumphs of those in his own stratum, but very imperfectly 

 those of another. This may account for the sharp cleavage 

 that often separates classes, shown by the lurking distrust of 

 mankind found in the hearts of otherwise sympathetic and 

 broad-minded persons. 



Nevertheless, for whatever cause any of us may have failed 

 to grasp the whole meaning of cooperation, the time has come 

 when we should pledge ourselves not merely to the theory 

 but to its practice. The test of loyalty to any principle is its 

 effect upon behavior. But old habits persist; the full force 

 of cooperative methods can only be learned by constant prac- 

 tice during the formative period of life. 



We have shown in the foregoing chapters how children 

 are enjoying the chance to work cooperatively in school gar- 

 dening. Grown-ups see their opportunity in modern farming. 

 A trained man is not only welcomed ; he is sought. The land 

 is calling for the right sort of men ; it cannot get enough. 

 We have already shown some of the qualities that such men 

 must have. 



It may reasonably be asked whether all this anxiety for our 

 rural prosperity is quite justified. Of course, in the outworn 

 farms of older countries there is need of thorough reform ; 

 but why should we, in a country rich and young s urge 



