The Flower Garden

At the Hillsdale Farmers' Instituí VIrs. Thomas Iïutehins, of JefEerson, Fead a short and thoughtful essay urging farmers and farmers' wives to give more attention to flower gardens md other means of making home attractive. "VVe extract a few paragraphs : I shall not attempt to treat my subect theoretically, or scientifically, but simply try to point out the untold happiness that may be derived from home md flower gardens. If we pass by a garden clean and neat asa new made pin, or, perchance, a tasteful garden, with a !ew trees and shrubs and beds of choice flowers, with a genial look, cool, restful and inviting, we straightway exclaim, . "How beautiful! We will ïave ours just like that." Or, we may dine with a f riend ; the bread is light, whether brown or white, the butter sweet and golden, the meat juicy and done to a nicety, the fruit ripe and uscious, and it is altogether a good, )lain dumer, and a perfect success. No jentleman need be ashamed of his abilities if he can honestly secure a jood home, nor a lady fear criticism bat can well execute the duties of ïome life. Upon our estímate of home .epends our earthly happiness. All hings else are subservient or adjuncts of this one great subject. Our first object should be to secure a home, )uilt upon a firm basis, that is free 'rom debt. Many little pleasures and uxuries may be indulged in, and yet ïot materially retard our progress. I would add the ornamental in every 'orm our fancy and means would dichte. Pictures and statuary, with all ;he appointments and surroundings of ïome, are worthy of our attention. Sducation, conversation and music are essential accomplishments ; nay, almost indispensable at this period of lie vorld's liistory. A child, a bird, or flowers, with many other things may be chosen as pets; indeed, they are essential to a fiuely-organized nature, otherwise we should live for self alone. General rules are necessary, but it is observation and practice that will insure success. Look your plants over daily and give to each the care they require. A greater amount of pleasure nav be obtained from plants if we seect them with reference to the accomnodations we have for keeping them. iever crowd them; poor, unkept lants are unsatisfactory. If a home s kept clean, well ventüated, with slenty of light, and all the sunshine ,hat can be obtained, and comfortably varm, it is a good place for people to ive in, and generally plants will thrive n sucli a home. Nor are they injurioüs, as soine are inclined to think. To i'l I would say : "Give flowers a place n your yard, enjoy their sweetness and )eauty through all the summer, and prepare some to cheer and brighten your home in winter. As a rule, the ultivation of flowers makes the heart tind and generous. Mother, home and lowers are three words the little prat;ling child easily learns. They are of requent occurrence all through life, and at its close they are often the last words spoken. The ambitious may eek the position of the lady high in ank, or the crowned head, but the ïoble heart mav envy that of the oved and honored mother. I cannot well forget the good, old-fashioned iowers my mother loved so well ; nor my childish pride that my little flower farden beside her's shoula do me redit. How admirably God has fltted each ower for its place. In the deptli f the forest, where scarcely a ray of unshine can penétrate, palé delicate flowers are found. The robust and brilliant hued are reserved for the fieree winds and strong heat of the wild prairie. Flowers possess a silent magnetism whereby they can add to our joys, and sooth our sorrows. In all climes they are loved and cultivated. Perhaps in no country are they loved more than in Australia. On Market Days the drovers are adorned with wreaths of flowers, more beautif ui than are often seen with us at grand entertainments. Who is so insensible as to overlook the giver of all these beautif ui and varied gifts of the floral kingdom? But some of my hearers may say they require too much labor and expense ; flowers do not pay, Were vou travel ing in the country and obliged to ask some farmer for food and shelter for the night, would you choose the shabby, untidy home, with its Windows broken, and some poor ragged children playing in front of the door among the potato hills? I think not. You would consider the neat cottage if it could afford but one rosebush beneath the window, and a vine trained over the door, a far better omen to the weary traveler. Surely, if these things are attractive to the stranger, they are of far greater importance to theinmates. With the flrst warm breath of spring we look for the early flowers that have braved the winter's frost and snow, and come forth so delicate, yet beautif ui. With reverent tread we step upon the soft carpet, spread upon a well kept yard. Can an Axminster or Brussels equal it for depth or richness of color ? As the season advances we see everywhere a mixture of flowers and fruit, and gathering in of grains, until anotüer year is drawing to a closo and winter is upon us. I entreat you, my sisters, make home bright and cheerful. No matter what the trials without, at home thö family should flnd rest for the body and culture for the mind; where the last look and thought for the nigbt shall be a smile and a sweet good-n:ght. And to you, my brothers, we look for protection, counsel and aid. .And please do not forget that noble attribute of the heart - sympathy. The feeble and weary, if taken kindly bT the hand can accomplish high and noble deeds.