Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-02-02
farm, 6araen 4 aloasehuld.
TOO OLD 10 PLANT TREEs.

A farmer Of fifty years was urged by a
friend to plant shade trees about his house,
and set out an orchard To all the plausible
arguments produced, he replied, II am too
old, ! shall never live to reap the fruit of my
labor. Thirty years passed away, and his
friend was called to pay his last respects for
the dead. While present, the conversations
Just noted came to mind, and the farm, as it
was, he contrasted with what it might have
been. Three or four shade, and about
dozen fruit trees, of poor quality, were all
the farm could boast There his house stood
close by the road, bold and bare, with moth
ing to protect it from summer sun or wintry
wind. On the farm he had cultivated only
the staple crops, and the garden the most
common vegetables. His table was spread
with the substantials; but, save the wild ber-
ries, the tempting and delicious fruits Of sum
mer and autumn were rare and uneoveted
luxuries, and the value of plentiful supply
OF winter fruit he never knew. Such light
food could not be suitable for hard working
man. His sons, finding nothing attractive
in the rough side of farming had left the
homestead to live in cities. Thus the old
farmer had lived for more than a generation,
believing he was too old to plant trees, and
foregoing the many comforts and dehcacies
they give He could not plead poverty as an
excuse, for he could count ais thousands
snugly invested in approved bank stock. Is
man ever too old to plant trees? No. no:
though every step is tremulous with age and
inirmities, and he knows he cannot live to
eat their fruit; though his children will not
occupy the homestead to enjoy their fathers
tolls, though his estate is encumbered with
debt, and must soon pass out of the family
name. BY planting trees he manifests the
spirit that animates the tiller of the soil who
loves his vocation; the spirit to improve and
embellish the spot of earth committed IN bis
care; the spirit to sow and plant. though 9th
ers may reap. What more pleasing sight than
an aged man planting trees? A youth nav BE-
one OF the figures in the picture perhaps
grandfather and grandson are engaged in tIis
delightful work-the nimble hands uarfa-r,.
ing the labor, while the experienced xis5or,
of age is directing and instraeting the Founs
heart and hand. They nay Be putting llgxa
living memorial to mark some han-v avan,f
How dear and lasting VII Be the associations
thst eluster around sach works. Ia what can
the aged find more enjoyment, or better cher
ish youthful feelings, than il training The
tender vines and shoots, in sitting beneath
the trees Of their own planting, or in watching
and gathering their fruits. The man who
considers himself too old to plant trees. ia too
old to manage his farm; he torgets that nor.
ton of this earth has been allotted him that
ne may dress and keep it. He has vet to
earn that the trees he eultivates show his an.
probation of the beautiful in nature. and the
comforts and luxuries of rural life: that in No
other way, for equal cost, can he leave so ac-
ceptabie gift to his successors, or Sc endur.
ing monument of his labors; for his house
barns, and fences may go to decay; his ditch.
es oe Hiled, and drains stopped, and his once
productive fields overrun with bushes. brt
these works Of his hand remain as memorials
Of y ms good Judgment and iberalitv NJ,
England Farmer. -''"