284 TEANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTUKAL 



minute green lines to which attention has last been called. Really, 

 then, an apple consists of more than ten leaves, but the ten form by 

 far the greater portion of the fruit. 



When we eat an apple we eat a cluster of leaves wondrously 

 modified for the very purpose of being consumed by some animal 

 whose tastes prompt the act. The fine flavor is a stimulus in this 

 direction. The hard parts surrounding this seed are for the protec- 

 tion of the latter, while mastication proceeds. 



Is it hard to see how a plant gains by having its seeds swal- 

 lowed by an animal. If uncrushed they pass the gauntlet of the 

 digestive apparatus unhurt and well fitted for germination. Wide 

 dissemination results — the very thing required for the abundant 

 multiplication of the species. Apples were made to eat, the seeds to 

 be thrown away, and as far as practicable from their place of growth. 



How the change from a cluster of green leaves to the bright- 

 colored, luscious, pulpy fruit came about is more difiicult to make out. 

 Some believe that the Creator, while accepting the leaves as the ma- 

 terial for the purpose, made at the beginning the fruit as we find it; 

 others think the requirements of the plant are sufiicient, through 

 " natural selection," to account for the change, if we allow time 

 enough for the gradual but final accomplishment. 



Il^FLUEXCE OF SURROUNDINGS. 



« 



BY MRS. EMILY JOHNSOX, OF WARSAW. 



That our surroundings have a great deal, if not everything, to 

 do with the formation of our characters and shaping our lives, is a 

 fact that can not be disputed. It is an instinct in our nature to fol- 

 low the track pointed out by a few leaders. We are gregarious ani- 

 mals in a moral as well as a physical sense; and we are addicted to 

 routine because it is easier to follow the opinions and example of 

 others than to reason and judge for ourselves; therefore we should 

 always try to let our powers of imitation center on the beautiful and 

 good. 



Our Heavenly Father, in his goodness and wisdom, has sur- 

 rounded us with all things beautiful; the hills and valleys, the seas 

 and rivers; the sun, in his majestic splendor, and the moon's soft, 

 lambient rays, have each their influence in directing our minds to 

 the beauties of nature. With these objects before us, should not we 

 always strive to make our surroundings agreeable and pleasant? In 

 the home life, especially, these influences should be brought to bear. 

 How important that the surroundings of home be attractive, not 

 alone to the older members, but to the rising generation. 



The sons and daughters of America are, so far as character, 

 habits and modes of thinking go, the outgrowth of the home. The 

 man, whether young or old, who has won the reputation of coarse- 



