292 [Sekate 



It is painfully observable, in how little regard is held the acre con- 

 stituting the kitchen-garden; yet there are not any two acres on 

 the iarm which would yield so large a return, in proportion to 

 the amount of labor and expense, as that derived from the kitchen- 

 garden. The little garden is, in a degree, a miniature or model 

 farm, and much instruction may be derived from it, in the manage- 

 ment and distribution of compost, irrigation, &c. &c. 



The flower-garden is less an appendage of the farm, but deserves 

 more of regard than is generally bestowed on it. Botany has en- 

 gaged the ardent study of many eminent men, nor is it a science 

 merely administering to our fancy or amusement; it also administers 

 to health, to wealth, to trade — it is food, medicine and commerce. 

 Flowers rank deservedly among the most lovely productions of the 

 field, the vale and hill; spontaneously sent forth by nature, they 

 advance far towards perfection even without artificial care, leaving 

 little more necessary to our full enjoyment of them, than a judici- 

 ous selection and collection of them, guarding the exotics against 

 the danger incident to them, and protecting the indigenous against 

 those attacks of adverse seasons to which all are occasionally ex- 

 posed. 



Flowers have excited a great interest in all classes of society; the 

 savage of the wilderness is gratified in decorating his person with the 

 native flowers of the forest; civilization promotes the cultivation of 

 native and exotic flowers. 



The flower garden may be regarded as a sacred spot, where poetic 

 and refined feelings are awakened or called into existence. Notice 

 the wonderful creative power which causes the sap to move, the bud 

 to start, the blossom to expand, the astonishing variety of shape and 

 shade of the leaf, the most beautiful tints and the sweetest perfume. 

 The study of nature leads man to an observance of mysterious won- 

 ders, " for not a flower expands itself, not a blossom opens its leaves, 

 but speaks to him in language, w^hich, if attended to, will make him 

 a better and a happier man." 



" Nor worlds on worlds, in phalanx deep. 

 Need we to prove that God is here ; 

 The daisy, fresh from winter's sleep. 

 Tells of his hand in lines so clear. 



" For who but He who arched the skies, 



And pour'd the day-spring's living flood. 

 Wondrous alike in all he tries. 



Could rear the daisy's purple bud?" 



A strict adherence to antiquated habits has caused no little ill to 

 agriculture. What the youth has learned from his father, and he 

 from his, seems in too many instances, destined to be transmitted as 

 an unaltered heirloom to posterity. Such maybe the instinctive im- 

 pulse of the beaver, but it is quite unworthy of rational man. 



On this point it is enough to say, that an agricultural periodi- 

 cal, of which the country produces many, and some excellent ones, 

 would impart information, which, if even partially acted on, would 

 yield the occupier of ten acres of land, ten times the amount of the 

 dollar it would annually cost. The advantage would be proportion- 



