2o8 
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 veryAlTP^^^^^tly 
those of another. This may account for the-^liarp 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, urge 
