“As I thought over the matter it seemed to me that it was not to be expected that a public man should be able to do his really best work if his financial position were not sound.  Again, could he have lasting influence with people in practical affairs if his own practical affairs were not in good order?[16] At any rate I determined not to go out to any more exhibitions or lectures except those which were remunerative, and I resolved to devote myself as my first duty to my farming.

“I set to work and managed my land, 3 cho (a cho is 2-1/2 acres), so as to obtain the gross income of an M.P. [The reader could scarcely have a more striking illustration of the intensity with which Japanese land is cultivated—­the average area is under 3 acres per family.] I am now working about 4 cho (10 acres).  Later on I am going to farm 7 cho (15-1/2 acres) and from that I am expecting the income of a Minister.[17] I have already collected the materials for my villa, for I am approaching my goal.  One of my two friends, who is also forty years of age, is a distinguished chemist in the Imperial Agricultural College.  My other friend, who is forty-four, is Secretary of the Korean Government.”

The indomitable experimenter swallowed another cupful of tea and declared that “in order to be prosperous, all the members of the family must work.”  All the members of his family did work.  His wife was strong and there were five healthy children.  He used the ordinary farm implements and his livestock consisted of only a horse and a few hens.  The home farm was five miles from the station.  The outlying farms were scattered in five villages—­“there are always spendthrift lazy fellows willing to sell their land.”  “I have a firm belief,” the speaker added complacently, “that agriculture is the most honest, the most sincere, the most interesting, the most secure and the most profitable calling.”

“Very often,” he went on, “good people are not sufficiently precautious”—­I give the excellent word coined by my interpreter.  “They spend for the public good, and in the end they are left poor.  Renowned, rich families have come to a miserable condition by such action.  What they have done may have been good.  But they are reduced to pauperism and they are laughed at by many persons.  People jeer that they pretended to do good, yet they could not do good to themselves.  If all people who work for the public benefit are laughed at at last—­and many are—­it will come to be thought that to work for the public benefit is not good.  Therefore I think that the man who would work for the public good must be careful in his own affairs.  He must not be a poor man if he is to help public business.  However philanthropic he may be, if his financial position is not strong he cannot go on long.  He will be stopped on his good way.  He cannot help other people.  Therefore I am now gathering wealth for strengthening my financial position as a means to attain the higher end.”