48 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



I send out an immense stalk crowned with thousands of blossoms, 

 and my work is done, for my life is ended. But I hear your in- 

 quiries as to my uses. If you open my long, thick leaf, you will 

 perceive that it is filled with hundreds of fine fibres, as fine as the 

 spider's web. If the leaves are macerated, these fibres are con- 

 verted into fine thread that will make lovely lace, strong twine, 

 thread, hammocks, etc.; paper is also manufactured from the leaf. 

 If the traveler is without water, he can pierce my leaf and obtain 

 enough to satisfy his thirst. If the cattle are hungry, the leaves 

 can be cut into slices and fed to them, £nd they will have an appe- 

 tizing meal. If the innermost leaves are torn out, juice will flow 

 for a year or more, which, by inspissation, yields sugar, but which, 

 when diluted with water and allowed to stand for a few days, be- 

 comes the agreeable but intoxicating drink of the Mexicans called 

 pulque. Mexican Indians not unfrequently sacrifice both fortune 

 and life to obtain it." 



Our journey through the garden, like all other pleasant things, 

 must end, and we bid you a reluctant good bye, hoping that the 

 little ramble of the morning may benefit by giving us a new taste 

 of nature's sweets, uses and beauties. The poorest laborer who 

 enjoys his garden, in full sympathy with the objects of nature about 

 him, is seldom unhappy, for he can have lovely trees, fruits, flow- 

 ers, and green pastures; riches can add but little more. And the 

 magic of the cheerful laborer's spirits will light up his face with a 

 radiance never seen on the face of a millionaire; for beauty can be 

 made to come as gladly for love as for money. 



The very name of garden charms us with its dear old associations 

 and memories. Let us remember that the garden was created in 

 perfection on the very morning of creation. It was in the garden 

 that the Lord walked in the cool of the day. It was there that he 

 fainted. It is also hallowed as the chosen resort and repose of the 

 Messiah, scene of his passion, place of his sepulchre, and witness of 

 his resurrection. 



