The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1895-01-10
HORTICULTURE AS a VOCATION
PART II.
A Good Calling For Young Men.


In addition to its prospects of fnan-
cial reward, horticulture has other ad-
vantages as vocation that should not
ne overlooked. 1t was the first, and
may justly be regarded as one of the
most useful pursuits. Unlike many
other voca tions. it is calling in which
success is in no way complicated with
the misfortunes of others. A good doc
tor may be a very useful citizen, but he
prospers upon others adversely. An
honest lawyer may be helpful, but he
thiives upon the weakness of poor hu-
'man nature. 1t is different with the
hortculturist 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 vine
yards may groan under their burdens
of wholesome food products, and no
one else is poorer or suffers any misfor-
tune thereby. The horticulturist earns
his own living and helps to feed the
world by cultivating the soil He is a
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 and 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, healthful bodily exercise
incident to this calling, adds much to
its desirability. Good health means
happiness in this life, and wealth is a
poor compensation for its lack. do
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 tecause 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 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 lie in jured. 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 infrequently |
compelled to suppress their convic-
tons, because they are in opposition to
the equally vehement and Irrational |
views of the community in which they |
labor and where favor is to them the |
breath of life.
Another point in favor of horticul- |
ture. What calling tends more con-
stantly and more powerfully to incite
regard for truth than does this occupa-
- IL. 1. 4
with nature. He is controlled and gov
erned in his operations by her immu-
ia BILE laws. There IS no temptation to |
cheat or dcfraud in these transa ctions, |
because man very soon learns that na |
ture never has and never can be cheat !
ed Man may cheat himself he may |
defraud his neighbors; bnt he can not |
in any way deceive nature The scrip |
tural injunction, Whatsoever a man
soweth, that also shall he reap" comes
directly and Immediately true to him
who deals with her. No deception is
possible, no juggle or trick can avail.
If You sow the seeds Of noXious weeds, |
noxious weeds will appear. We can
not gather grapes Of thorns or figs of
In speaking thus of horticulture, l |
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 a useful citizen without cIlltiva ting |
the soil and raising valuable food prod |
ucts therefrom. 1 do not know that |
horticulturists as 4 class are better |
than other men. | have sipEy pointed I
out some of the poss:~ IS, some of
the more obvious~,aekelaies- of this
vocation. Il tasr that many OF OH |
ycaug men, especially those who are
a attending the Ohio State university, |
and who are soon to choose d 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.-William N Z.
in Farm and Fireside.
Snow is sometimes found in Polar
and Alpine regions, where it lies un-
melted from year to year, and the
annual fall is small, colored red by
the presence of innumerable small |
red plants.
In its native state the plant con-
sists of brilliant red globules on a