144 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



trope. Leonard Fuehs brings frura Peru the Fuchsia, and from the 

 spicy isles oi: the Indies is borne the Tuberose, while the flora of 

 America, assisted by Japan and Italy, contributes the Pansy, and in 

 our woodlands we will brush away the leaves and gather the first 

 flowers of spring, and we will proffer to nature this crown as a tit 

 guerdon for her blossoms she has scattered so freely. 



The empire of cultivation is universal, from the tiniest flower to 

 the education of the mind, which itself is but the flower of the uni- 

 verse, nurtured by nature, and, as the family circle need books that 

 will refine and broaden the culture of home, so they need the moral 

 and refining effect of flowers — there is a mysterious influence which 

 creeps over the heart almost imperceptibly, arising from these bright 

 treasures of nature, that make us purer and better. Books and 

 flowers go hand in hand — the outer circle is but an index of the 

 inner circle — we would have flowers in every home, as well as a 

 library. 



Make home attractive with flowers; although many may not be 

 able to indulge in novelties, costly palms and orchids, yet, they can 

 have flowers that will give more blossoms, and be more satisfactory to 

 the greatest number, and will be duly appreciated when the storm of 

 winter beats without and the thermometer marks zero, — and well- 

 kept lawns and gardens are hidden or negatived, and have relapsed 

 into a state of nature, and title deeds are buried deep beneath the 

 snow. 



However, by a few the love of the beautiful in nature ,may be 

 so dimmed by the cultivation of the practical, that they cannot see 

 and enjoy the beauty which the hand of a bountiful Creator has so 

 freely bestowed on us, but we would say, '' The harp holds in its 

 strings the possibilities of noblest chords, yet, if they be not struck 

 they must hang dull and useless." 



The youth should be taught to read in the great book of nature; 

 they will there flnd a charm, a boundless interest, which will be a 

 guard for innocence, and a security for happiness ; they should be 

 taught to cultivate and love plants and flowers, and this care and 

 love will ennoble and elevate the mind, refine the affections, mould 

 the habits of the maturing man and woman. 



There are no better signs of human progress than the evidence 

 we see all around us; flowers are to be seen alike in the dwellings of 

 the rich and the poor; they are no respectors of persons, their bloom 

 is no sweeter in the conservatory or grounds of the millionaire, than 

 in the poor man's humble cottage or garden — they reward the beg- 

 gar boy's tender care as lovingly as if he dwelt in brick or stone 

 mansions. 



How often, in the cities, we have seen the poor, neglected chil- 

 dren stop and admire the flowers in the florist's window, or look 

 wishfully at the possessor of a bunch of them — they have never been 

 taught to care for, or love them, yet the sight of their beauty kin- 



