HORTICULTURE. 103 



ONE OF THE EARLIEST EMPLOYMENTS. 



Horticulture is the most ancient employment ordained by the Creator for 

 man. In the words of Lord Bacon, "it is the greatest refreshment of the 

 spirits of man, without which buildiugs and palaces are but gross handiworks, 

 and man will ever see that when ages grow to civility and elegance, men come 

 to build stately sooner than to garden finely, as if gardening were the greatest 

 perfection." 



BENEFITS OF HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



Societies like our own are not only powerful and effective in the advance- 

 ment of science and art, but the incentive to the formation of many channels 

 of industry, the fruits of which diffuse their blessings on every hand. Our 

 meetings not only present facilities for social and business intercourse, but 

 they also offer opportunities for personal friendships. 



In a city like Lansing there are but few regular gardeners to aid us with 

 their practical examples, advice, and presence at our meetings, yet there are 

 but a limited number of cities in the land where the advantages of a knowl- 

 edge of horticulture could be used to better benefit. Our broad avenues and 

 streets, and large yards present an excellent opportunity for the display of a 

 horticultural taste, which, once cultivated and utilized by a few even, would 

 stimulate hundreds of others to greater efforts in the care of their surround- 

 ings. No man likes to have comparisons made when such collation reflects on 

 himself or his property. Therefore the man who by planting sweet-scented 

 flowers and shrubs, by building good walks about his premises, and by keeping 

 his surroundings neat, beautiful, and clean, compels his less thrifty neighbor 

 to do the same (although not perhaps from love of the beautiful), confers a 

 favor on the community in which he lives that cannot be measured by words. 

 Going out and attending to matters and things about the premises, and return- 

 ing with dry, clean shoes, is an enjoyment that must be realized to be appre- 

 ciated. !No man can be a good horticulturist without displaying that partiality 

 to advantage about his home ; therefore, the greater number of people in a 

 community possessing a love for horticulture, and the greater number of people 

 who can, by the aid of such societies as ours, be induced to cultivate such a 

 desirable taste, the more rapidly will our homes and surroundings become 

 beautiful and attractive. 



When passing a well-kept lawn, a handsome yard, or even an ordinary place, 

 where the empty oyster-cans, old boots and shoes, and general rubbish, are 

 properly disposed of, instead of lying in unsightly heaps, or scattered promis- 

 cuously about the back door, I always feel that a better acquaintance with the 

 owner and his family would be desirable. To me it does not appear possible 

 for a man to be a truly bad man at heart who keeps his surroundings in proper 

 shape. 



ADVANTAGES OF PROPER FRUIT-PACKING. 



While I cannot tell you anything about the planting and general cultivation 

 of flowers, fruits, and vegetables, which would be of advantage to you who 

 have had years of experience in horticulture, yet, as a consumer and enthusi- 

 astic lover of some of the good things of earth, perhaps I might say a few 

 words about marketing fruit that will prove of advantage to some. 



The first requisite is a clean, attractive package. How many times have 



