The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1894-08-30
HORTICULTURE AS A VOCATION
PART II.
a Good Calling For Young Men.

A Good Calling For Young Men.
In addition to its prospects of fnan-
cial reward, horticulture has other ad-
yantages as a vocation that should not
he overlooked 1t was the first, and
NAV Justly be regarded as one OF tho
most useful pursuits. Unlike many
other vocations, it IS calling in which
success is in no way complicated with
the misfortunes of others A good doc
tor may be very useful citizen, nut ne
prospers upon others adversely. An
honest lawyer may be helpful, but he
thriyes upon the weakness of poor hui
man nature. 1t is different with the
horticulturist His calling is to supply
the human race with daily food, py
means of which life is prolonged,
strength is maintained and health Sc
cured. His gardens, orchards and vine
wards NAV groan under their burdens
of wholesome food products, and no
one else is poorer or suffers any mlstor-
tame thereby. The horticulturist earns
his own living and helps to feed the
world by cultivating the soil. lie Is
transformer. By his art the crude, use
less elements of the soil and air are
combined. forming products that please
the eve, crafty the taste and support
the life of man.
In addition to its usefulness, hortl-
culture has other advantages that must
not be overlooked. 1t is heaith1ul
calling. Few vocations promote that
fulness of strength and vigor that Is
here to be found. As rule, continued
good health is only vouchsafed to those
who spend large part OF their waking
house in the free, pure air and open
sunshine This together with the In
vigorating, healthful bodily exercise
incident to this calling, adds much to
its Inability. Good health means
happiness in this life, and wealth Is a
poor compensation for its lack. l do
not mean that everyone engaged IN
horticulture is healthy and prosperous
There are some that do too much work
and some who do too little. Men may
wear themselves out by excessive and
unintermitted toll here, as elsewhere;
or they may go to the other extreme
and fancy that because they are horti-
culturists in name at least, thrift WILL
follow idleness, profits will be realized
from light crops, and they are some
how or other going to attain success
without corresponding effort
Perhaps there is no vocation more
conducive to genuine independence and
thorough manliness of character than
horticulture. No one expects man In
this profession to curry favor by cring-
ing, or to bow to any prejudice. or de-
fer to any irrational public opinion
His products will sell for what
they are worth, irrespective OF
politics, religion or opinions on
social questions. He suffers little 81
nothing from the intolerance OF
views on current topics adverse to
those generally accepted by the com.
munity in which he lives He is moi
obliged to suppress his convictions fol
fear his business will be injured. dc
is not called upon to sacrifice his self
respect or compromise his integrity II
order to be successful The merchant
the journalist the lawyer, the doctor
and even the minister and teacher ART
often tempted, and not infrequentil
compelled to suppress their convic
tions, because they are in opposition Il
the equally vehement and irrationa
views of the community in which the.
labor, and where favor is to them tn
breath of life.
Another point in favor of horticul
ture. What calling tends more con
stantly and more powerfully to inoit
regard for truth than does this occupa
ton? The horticulturistd deals directl.
with nature. He is controlled and gov
,erned in his operations by her immu
IS table laws There is no temptation t
cheat or defraiid in these transactions
because man very soon learns that ma
ture never has and never can be cheat
ed. Man may cheat himself, he ma
,defraud his neighbors; but he can nc
in any way deceive nature. The scriI
tural injunction, ''Whatsoever a ma
soweth, that also shall he reap" come
directly and Immediately true to hi
who deals with her. No deception
possible, no juggle or trick can, avail
IL YOU sow the seeds of no&ious weed
noxious weeds will appear. We 'ca
not gather grapes of thorns or tgs
thistles."
In speaking thus OF horticulture,
would not be understood as deprecia
ing or trying to disparage any 9TH
calling. Many of them are honorab bi
some are Indispensable. A man m;
be a useful citizen without cultivatir
the soil and raising valuable food pro
nets therefrom. / do not know tn
horticulturists as q class are bett
than other men. have simply point
out some Of the possibilities, some
the more obvious tendencies OF Il
vocation. I trust that many OF
young men. especially those who a
attending the Ohio State universit
and who are soon to choose oallil
will thoughtfully consider the advar
ages of horticulture, and in view OF {
reasons given above, will decide
make it their life work. k.-William
Lazenby, in Farm and Fireside,