12 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
on walking trips by their teachers. These walks are 
often of a day or even of several days’ or weeks’ dur¬ 
ation. On these walks the places of interest are 
pointed out, and the children are taught to be ob¬ 
serving and appreciative of the countiy. They come 
to know the various productions of the soil at first 
hand. They visit the historic landmarks, the places 
of literarv and industrial interest. Everv effort is 
» • 
made to create a real appreciation of nature, through 
dwelling on beautiful landscapes, fields, sunsets and 
the like. They come to know and love the common 
birds. Such a training cannot fail to add immense¬ 
ly to the charm of country life, because it makes the 
country more interesting. It creates a home atmos¬ 
phere, a sense of being in a congenial and beautiful 
environment. One who has developed such a sense 
of appreciation of nature feels out of place in the city, 
and restless unless for a part of the year at least he 
can get back into the country. 
The ‘‘country life” movement which is upon us 
means essentially that life is more than profits, and 
may not be sacrificed to an endless routine, which 
gives no time to live, or to a sordid ambition, which 
in an utter devotion to money making, forgets that 
money has value in so far as it secures for us a large 
and satisfying life. But a wealth that has to be 
hoarded and watched and tended, so that there is no 
time or thought for the pleasures or aspirations of 
life, means ever a poverty of spirit. The farmer must 
be given position and influence in society and in the 
affairs of the nation. The country must be made at¬ 
tractive enough, so that it can keep the boys and girls 
on the farm, so that the more canable and efficient 
rather than the less capable and efficient farmers will 
remain. If this movement for a larger life is to pre¬ 
vail, it must come largely through the development 
of the social life in the open country, and of the social 
life of the home. f! 
Doing Business by Making False Statement 
Against Another * 
•4 
It is unfortunate that a few people should imagine 
that we as a people should be separated into classes' 
according to our occupations and each class be ar¬ 
rayed against the others. There never was a more 
erroneous idea. It is false and usuallv a result of ia- 
norance or comes from selfish persons who expect to 
profit at the expense of those who heed them. We 
are essentially one people, living under one flag and 
most of us striving to be good citizens and to secure 
the blessinirs of liberty and happiness for ourselves 
and our posterity. 
There is no reason why honest persons should not 
prosper when their neighbors prosper. If one class 
must prosper at the expense and in pro]iortion as 
another suffers loss, then that class has an advantage 
that it should not have and society is interested in 
taking this advantage from it. AVhen there are dif¬ 
ferences or wdieii one class attempts to take an un¬ 
warranted advantage, all other classes should re¬ 
strain this attempt, firmly but not disastrously. Cer¬ 
tain Nurserymen cannot be afforded special privi¬ 
leges that cause economic waste. 
AVe must remember that “life is real, life is ear¬ 
nest” and “into each life some rain must fall.” AVe 
all have our sunshine and storm and sometimes the 
storm clouds are so thick and furious it seems that 
our little bark will go down to rise no more. No 
matter how exalted our station or how humble our 
position, no matter how great may seem our suc¬ 
cesses, or how small our achievements, each life has 
its burdens to bear. Each one has a mission to ful¬ 
fil, a destiny to obtain, something to do, a place in 
the great structure of humanity, and though our 
niche may seem small and insignificant, yet it is im¬ 
portant. A great building composed of brick, huge 
stones and pillars of granite could not stand without 
the mortar that holds the parts together. Some of 
us may be nothing but common mortar yet we are as 
important as the cornerstone. Alen may not admire 
us and sing our praises and may pass us by un¬ 
noticed, yet we may feel sure that something depends 
on us and it is ours to do all we can. 
Some of the most successful have met with repeat¬ 
ed failures before attaining final success. Some have 
risen from obscurity to fame though afflicted from 
childhood. John Greenleaf Whittier was a great suf¬ 
ferer from boyhood and met with many severe trials 
through life, yet he lived nearly 85 years to bless 
mankind with his pen and his name will live as long 
as the love of good literature lasts. Sophia Wright 
of New Orleans, though a hopeless cripple and in 
comparative poverty, accomplished more in educat¬ 
ing the poor of that city than all other forces com¬ 
bined and her influence will be felt and men will 
praise her name as long as the city stands. Think of 
Helen Keller and what she has accomplished. Many 
other examples could be given; we have only to look 
around us and see what others are accomplishing 
over seemingly unsurmountable obstacles, therefore, 
if you are cast down look up. Let the sunshine in. 
Progress in the Nursery Business 
I notice this subject in substance is to be discussed 
by capable speakers tonight so without encroaching 
upon my friends’ topic let me say in passing. There 
are many who do not see that the nursery business 
is making much progress, and who are dissatisfied 
that greater progress is not made. There are others 
who do not believe there is anything to be learned 
about the nursery, and who view with distaste the ef¬ 
forts of others to make the nursery business a profes¬ 
sion. There is so much to be learned that what has 
already been learned is but a small fraction of the 
