strength which must go into the fruit if we are to raise
fruit for which there is a market. So we cut off everything that can
be spared, and we get the best fruit that grows.'

"'Then it doesn't all depend upon the place where the fruit is grown?'
observed the visitor.

"'No,' laughed the fruit man. 'Many people think it does. Of course,
the soil and climate have a good deal to do with it, and we must
prepare the ground and keep it in the proper condition; we must also
keep the trees free from disease and insects. But all of this same
work has to be done, no matter where the apples are raised, and the
soil and climate in many other parts of the United States are just as
good as they are here. _It depends upon the know-how!_

"Ah, that's the secret! It depends upon the know-how!

"Boys and girls, on this Rally Day, let me ask you: Are you going to
let your life grow to be like this tree? [Indicate the first.] Or is
it to be like this one? [Indicate the second.] What do I mean? Here is
what I mean:

"If a girl lets her thoughts run too much to clothes and parties--if
she worries about her failure to do the things which other girls can
do, and which God never intended she also should do--if she is
spending her time reading books which can never be of any possible
good to her--if she is becoming fault-finding, cynical, cross,
selfish--if she is doing any of these things which keep her from being
what she ought to be--her everyday life _needs trimming_! Think
it over. If you find any useless, strength-absorbing thing in your
life, _cut it out_!

"Boys, are you letting any bad habits grow into your life? Are you
wasting your time running after pleasures and amusements that don't
help you to be better boys? Are you getting chummy with other boys
whose companionship is not good and whose words and deeds you would
not dare to talk about at home? Are you reading useless books and
letting the treasures of literature on mother's bookshelf at home go
untouched? Are you trying to find short-cuts to success, when there
isn't any such thing, and neglecting the hard work which has brought
honor and success to all who have reached a high place? If you are
doing any of these things, get out the pruning hook of good resolution
and the sharp ax of determination. Trim off all these useless
things. Gather them in a heap and burn them. Then, in the years to
come, will you find that you have been able to be of use to the world
and to y