194 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



emotions, likes and dislikes, .are so easily moulded into the shape in which they 

 are to be carried through life. And when a child who grows up under such 

 influences has reached mature ao-e, witli what delight can such a man or woman 

 dwell upon the memories of their childhood, and the pleasant associations of 

 their early home. 



There is still another feature which alone would form sufficient grounds to 

 encourage horticulture: it is the wholesome, healthful exercise which this occu- 

 pation affords. The work itself being of a somewhat lighter nature than 

 farming, still gives an abundance of exercise to keep both body and mind in a 

 vigorous condition. It is a notorious fact that many of our most successsfnl 

 nurserymen have in their youth been merchants or students of some profession; 

 but by failing health they have been obbliged to turn their attention to horti- 

 culture, and are now reaping the reward of the choice. 



The health of business men in general would be much improved if each one 

 who owns half an acre of ground would take an interest in horticulture, and 

 cultivate it with their own hands. But especially would this out-of-door occu- 

 pation benefit the American ladies if they could be induced to take an interest 

 in the cultivation of flowers, at least as much as is done by the European ladies. 

 If it only could be the fashion that every lady should, with her own hands, 

 cultivate so many plants, and that the one who had the most and best grown 

 specimens should be the queen of fashion, then it could be said that fashion 

 for once had done something useful. Such a fashion would brino; blood to 

 the cheeks of the vast number of pale languid shadows we see tripping about 

 in the streets; and it would not only give health and longevity to themselves, 

 but their vigor would be transmitted to all succeeding generations, thereby 

 serving their country better than do the political and woman's rights questions 

 they are bothering themselves about at present. 



Is not all this inducement enough, for each and all, to take a greater interest 

 in horticulture? It offers money to money-seekers, pure elevated enjoyment 

 to the admirers of nature's productions, and healthful vigor to the weak and 

 delicate, all of which are elements of human happiness. 



A ONE-HUNDRED DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN HORTICULTURAL BOOKS. 



Not long since we received a communication requesting that a list of horti- 

 cultural books be given suitable for a neighborhood or single individual, the 

 amount to be limited to one hundred dollars. 



The matter was immediately referred to Prof. Beal, of the Michigan Agri- 

 cultural College, who has made a carefully prepared list, and says: 



The list is made upon the basis that the books are to be all purchased at 

 once, thus securing the lowest discount for cash. 



This matter of getting libraries for instruction upon agriculture and horti- 

 culture and placing them where they can be used, and used to a purpose, can- 

 not well be over-estimated in value. The investment of one hundred dollars, 

 upon many large farms, in a single machine, is considered trivial, while the 

 Millie amount invested in books and periodicals is enormous. It is my convic- 

 tion that the latter investment would oftener be the most judicious and profit- 

 able. I present this list to yon with the hope that some of your correspondents 

 may supplement ii with a li.-t of agricultural publications upon a similar basis. 



