JPo) the Southern States. 101 



priceless value in eiij'j'ment, in ^ood cheer jmd lieHlih to the 

 millions who grow and pick and eat their own berries, is incal- 

 culable. With tii*^ planting of ev« ry strawberry b^-d on a farm 

 where there was none bef«ne, the coiner stone is laid for a happy 

 home, for ev cry j)Liut we entrust to the soil bears in it the gvrms 

 for happiness and health. Would we know where the strawber- 

 ries grow, let us drive along the country road to yonder cozy cot- 

 tag*^, uhcre th«- r-sv cheeUs and brigliteyes, the happy faces and 

 cl I eerful expression of the children playing under the rose-covered 

 veranda Ul\ p'amer than words can tell that the strawberry bed 

 is not far away. 



But progress in strawberry and other fruit culture has accom- 

 plislied more than invigorated health, increased enjoyment, and 

 made home dearer to our children; it has sharpened observation, 

 brightened thought and inspired the development and stability 

 of the nob'esr traits of human nature. No plainer object-lesson 

 was ever taught, no more impressive sermon preached than that 

 wiiich nature instilled in every root, in every leaf, in every ex- 

 panding bud and every fading flower which must wither that the 

 more perfect fruit may spring into life. 



There is a class of people who do not believe in progress, who 

 think the world had reached perfection when they were young, 

 and that it has moved back war d since. But who could, fifty years 

 ago, have immagined the wonderful progress of the present diy, 

 and who can conceive what progr^ ssive ideas, progressive minds 

 and progressive men will accomplish in another half century *? 

 We may, at times, go too fast and make mi- steps, or we may put 

 on too mu<h steam and burst a boiler, but what of that ? What 

 do^s the brave soldier care if he must lose his life that his 

 brothers may march to victory?" 



In concluding this somewhat lengthy article on the Culture of 

 Strawberries in the Gulf Statesi, we claim the indulgence of 

 friends who know, and we trust ai)preciate, ourenthu4a>:m intlie 

 c«useof horticulture in all its branches. We believe that for- 

 tune and happiness may be found in its excercise, and that more 

 gold will be made in the culture of small fruits in the South than 

 in the mines of New Mexico or California. 



