I have been requested to give my personal testimony as to the effect of
a vegetarian diet as seen at Brook Farm. I willingly do so. For two or
three years the farmers, mechanics and others worked side by side, and
no one could conscientiously say that in ability to work in any field
of labor, physical or mental, the vegetarians were out-matched by their
companions. Their health was fully maintained and their mental
cheerfulness was surpassed by none.
From this report it can easily be learned that no important financial
progress had been made at Brook Farm, and that any accumulation of
wealth was yet in the future. The Brook Farmers were working in hope.
It was still an experiment, and as an experiment it will be necessary
for me to point out by-and-by the defects which will answer the often
asked question, "Why did Brook Farm fail?" But it is well to bear in
mind the starting point. Most men of business go into trade with a
capital, some reserved fund, but the Brook Farmers had none, and as
they progressed, the want of it was more and more felt. "It is the
first step that costs," as the French proverb says, and the Brook
Farmers had a great many first steps to take, steps that no others had
taken, and inevitable costs and losses must occur.
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