The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1894-12-27
HORTICULTURE AS a VOCATION
PART H.
A Coed Calling For Young Men.

4 Coed Calling For Young Men.
In addition to it's prospects of fnan-
cial reward. horticulture has other adj
vantages as vocation that should not
re overlooked 1t was the first. and
may justly be regarded as one of the
most useful pursuits. Unlike many
other vocations, it IS Il calling in which
success is in no way complicated with
the misfortunes of others A good doc
tor may be a very useful citizen, hut he
prospers upon Others adversely. An
honest lawyer may be helpful, but he
thri:es upon the weakness of poor hui
man nature. 1t is different with the
horticultural. His calling is to supply
the human race with daily food, by
means of which life is prolonged,
strength is maintained and health Sc
cured. His gardens, orchards and vinc-
yards may groan under their burdens
of wholesome food products, and no
one else is poorer OF suffers any misfor-
tune thereby. The horticulturist earns
his own living and helps to feed the
world by cultivating the soil. He is II
transformer BY his art the crude, use
less elements of the soil and air are
combined, forming products that Please
the eye, crafty the taste AMI support
the life of man.
In addition to its usefulness horti-
culture has other advantages that must
not be overlooked 1t is healthful
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, healthtul bodily exercise
incident to this calling. adds much to
its desira bility. Good health means
happiness in this life, and wealth is a
poor compensat ton 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 iecause 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 a man in
this profession to curry favor by cring-
ing, or to bow to any prejudice, or de-
fer to any irrational pu lie opinion.
His products will sell for what
they are worth, irrespective of
politics, religion or opinions on
social questions. He suffers little or
nothing from the intolerance of
views on current topics adverse to
those generally accepted by the com
munity in which he lives He is not
obliged to suppress his convictions for
fear his business will le injured. He
is not called upon to sacrifice his self
respect or compromise his integrity in
order to be successful. The merchant,
the journalist. the lawyer, the doctor
and even the minister and teacher are
often tempted, and not infrequcntly
compelled to suppress their convic-
tions, because they are in opposition to
the equally vehement and irrational
views of the community in which they
laLor, and where favor is to them the
breath of life
Another point in favor of hort.cuI
ture. What calling tends more cor
stantly and more powerfully to incite
regard for truth than does this occupa-
ton? The horticulturiss deals directly
with nature. lie is controlle! and gov
crned in his operations by her immu-
table laws There is no temptation to
cheat or defraud in these transactions
lecause man very soon learns that ma
ture never has and never can be cheat
ed. Man may cheat himself. he may
defraud his neighhors; bat he can not
in any way deceive nature The scrip
turll injunction, Whatsoever a man
soweth, that also shall he reap comes
directly and Immediately true to him
who deals with Ler. No deception is
possible, no juggle or trick can avail.
If you SOW the seeds of noXious weeds,
nox;ous weeds will appear. We can
not gather grapes OF thoras or figs of
thiStleS"
In speaking thus OF horticulture, !
would not be understood as depreciat-
ing or trying to disparage any other
calling. Many of them are honorable,
some are Indispensable A man may
be useful citizen without cultivating
the soil and raising valuable food prod
ucts therefrom. l do not know that
horticulturists as class are better
than other men. have simply pointed
out some of the possibilities, some of
the more obvious tendencies of this
vocation. l trust that many of our
young men, especially those who are
attending the Ohio State university,
and who are soon to choose a calling
will thoughtfully consider the advant-
ages of horticulture, and in view of the
reasons given above, will decide to
make it their life work. m 4
Lazenby, in Farm and Fires.de.