340 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



His cottage, though but one story, and however rude its structure, 

 can be made, by a profusion of flowers, to reflect the presence of 

 a taste and culture thit wealth might envy and genius admire. 



We would reeommend that the farmer and his family make 

 friends with the fl )wers. This friendship will prove a mutual 

 good to yourselves; and the beautiful flowers, while it may cost 

 labor and trouble to prepare suitible beds for th j se delicate beau- 

 ties to display their charms, they will amply repay you in the 

 good that they will do you in return. The effect of the presence 

 of large numbers of bright, showy flowers around the house is 

 certain to arrest the eye and attention of the most indifferent la- 

 borer; and who once the attention is arrested and directed upon 

 a thing of beauty, the sensations of admiration are awakened; 

 taste, refinement and discrimination are cultivated. The habit of 

 observation is stimulated, and, ;is a result, a keener relish of the 

 beautiful grows in the mind to enrich and profitably occupy it in 

 its leisure hours. There is nothing that grows that appeals with 

 the same effect for admirati >n as flowers, and there is not a mm 

 nor woman, however rough and c >arse. that can resist their gen- 

 tle, silent pleiding for attention and admiration. 



Herbert Spencer says that the number of things that are done by 

 man day after day, in the routine of habits and daily toil, without 

 thought, is perfectly astonishing ; hence, any influence around the 

 home that induces the hibit of thought and observation is of the 

 greatest practical importance. 



While this view of the value of flowers may seem simple and 

 of slight account, let us remember that there is no branch of in- 

 dustry where a keen, discerning observation of things in nature is 

 of as much importance as id farming. Besides it is a known fact 

 that some of the greatest discoveries, and m >st valuable contri- 

 butions of knowledge to the worli hive been suggested by ob- 

 serving very s'mple things; for instance, Watt's observation re- 

 specting his mother's tei-kettle lid gave the world her greatest 

 molor, steam ; and the slight and simple occurrence of the fall- 

 ing of an apple suggested the great law of gravitation. In fact, 

 it is the observation of these trifles that science in all her vast 

 and useful departments, has made her most valuable and impor- 

 tant contributions. 



