60 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



throw most of the responsibility upon her and give truthfulness 

 to the familiar words, "as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." 

 She must begin as early as the child can talk to teach little les- 

 sons of courtesy, else they will appear ill-mannered all through 

 childhood. We all know people who plainly bear the marks of 

 neglect in this particular. They could never have been taught 

 the small, sweet courtesies of life, else they would have now very 

 different manners. <; Bluntness," on which some seems to pride 

 themselves, is much like a leper boasting of his sores. It is hard 

 to break up fixed habits, and in this very fact we find both warn- 

 ing and encouragement. How natural that these little ones should 

 re-echo the parents' sentiments. As the stone carelessly thrown 

 into the middle of the silent lake breaks its placidity, the troubled 

 surface spreading itself and widening into ever larger circles, so 

 the example of a father influences his family, spreading, reaching 

 into future generations. 



After these first years they leave us for a time each day, to be 

 taught by other.* in the schoolroom. I have great sympathy for 

 our teachers, especially those of our primary schools, and feel that 

 they need be strong and true men and women, for the charge com- 

 mitted to them is indeed most precious, from all the homes of our 

 land. The teacher who does not feel this has mistaken his call- 

 ing. Their influence comes next to the parents in forming the 

 character of the young. 



These school days are happy days, so free from care and trouble; 

 kind parents to provide food and clothing. Can you not realize 

 that you should improve each moment, that you may be useful 

 men and women? The days seem long to you, and you think 

 that the time when you will do business for yourselves, or take 

 our places, is a long way off. Each year the wheels of time 

 move, seemingly, more swiftly; it will not be long, and you have 

 much to do. 



During their school days they can learn habits of business. 

 Give children a share of the profits as they labor for them. Teach 

 them to handle their little earnings judiciously. Better than all, 

 it will make their work cheery and a pleasant thing to look back 

 to with pleasure. One has well said, "there is no capital to be- 



