188 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



of country, so we, from the eminence of our position in the 

 nineteenth century, may behold the peculiarities of the nations of 

 antiquity. 



Plants are known to have been cultivated from the most remote 

 historic ages. Probably, in the earliest ages plants useful for 

 food alone were cultivated. The cultivation of flowers, although 

 less ancient than that of some of the plants most necessary for 

 the supply of urgent wants, nevertheless dates from a remote 

 antiquity, and has always existed in every country entitled, in any 

 measure, to the credit of civilization. 



It is a well-established fact that only after the selection and 

 cultivation of those plants which yield man an abundant supply 

 of food, that population augments and civilization takes its rise. 



Egypt, once mistress of the world, with her teeming population, 

 that existed in the narrow valley of the Nile, the immense stand- 

 ing army maintained, the extraordinary works of engineering and 

 architecture, indicate an advanced state of agriculture, of which 

 floriculture is an important and necessary adjunct. 



In Babylon, a dense population was supported in the plains 

 bordering the Euphrates. 



The Scriptures make frequent reference to the operations of 

 the plant cultivators of Palestine. The hill-sides were covered 

 with vines and olives. Some cereals were cultivated. The large 

 number of inhabitants that Palestine supported under the Jews, 

 is the wonder of all modern travelers, who are struck with the 

 desolation of the country. The means of cultivation, however, 

 disappeared with the inhabitants. 



History tells us that the old Romans considered the cultivation 

 of plants and flowers as a fit pursuit to be directed by men of 

 wealth and learning. 



Cato, who died 150 years B. C, was the first and most cele- 

 brated agricultural writer. He has given us minute details in 

 regard to the cultivation of many plants. 



Turn to Spain, and we find during the time of the Moors, the 

 valley of Granada to be one well- cultivated garden. 



As far back as the sixteenth century, we find England paying 

 much attention to plant culture. 



So we might go on, learning of the nations of antiquity in 

 regard to plant and flower culture, but those of which we have 

 spoken are sufficient to prove to us that with the advancement of 

 civilization, we find the advancement of plant or flower culture. 

 And that, to all these nations there has been a benefit physically; 

 a drawing out of the physical powers, and hence, according to the 

 definition, & physical education. 



That definition also states that education is a discipline of the in- 

 tellect. Teachers at the present day study and hear much of psych- 

 ology. It endeavors to teach what faculties are earliest developed 

 in the child's mind; what faculties are later developed; and gives 



