11 



Preface. 



be found each year, giving time with some of the best 

 gro wers. If bright and quick to observe, they are in a 

 few years fitted either to conduct business for them- 

 selves, or for others. To the majority, this method ot 

 study is not practicable, and there seems to be no way 

 of mastering the business, but by stumbling on from 

 year to year, makitig mistakes and undertaking experi- 

 ments so costly in themselves, that when the lesson de- 

 rived from them is learned, one finds himself in the 

 possession of an experience, purchased at the cost of 

 valuable time, and oftentimes with a balance on the 

 wrong side of the ledger. 



Nor are those who are thus struggling along, traveling 

 a new road; it is a w 11 beaten path, and many of us 

 havf pursued it so long, the years in the meantime have 

 slippt-d away and more gray hair^ than riches are left 

 in their train. We have had the experience, but at 

 what a cost? 



I well remember,. when a young man full of enthusi- 

 asm and at just that tiuae of life when one knows more 

 than any who have gone before, or who will ever come 

 after him, having made an experiment contrary to the 

 advice of those older than m self, and having had the 

 moi tification of seeing it fai', trying to draw consolation 

 from the fact that I had the experience left, how well 

 I remember my faihefs rply: "My son, purchased 

 wit in good if not bought too dear." Well — I have been 

 buying just such wit as that all my life, and it is with 



