258 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



There is one plan by which homes now drear and barren may be 

 cheered and enlivened: Floricultural societies formed by ladies, 

 connected with and auxiliary to our county agricultural and horti- 

 cultural societies, would afford facilities and opportunities to be 

 obtained in no other way. Seeds procured in large quantities, at 

 greatly reduced rates, could be easily divided among members of 

 such societies, to be again divided by them as needed. Information 

 on planting, transplanting, arranging in masses, providing for 

 bloom at different times of the season, protection in winter, culti- 

 vation and propagation of house plants; all these, and numberless 

 other subjects, could be discussed. Experience would reveal knowl- 

 edge not found in the books, while theory would have to be proved 

 by practice. Those who have made floriculture their delight, should 

 take pains to impart of their learning. Especially should it be a 

 primary object to arouse the spirit of cultivation in those who have 

 supposed that circumstances deprive them of its possibility. 



When the door yard of every farm house is neatly fenced in, the 

 fence whitewashed, and covered with vines; beds of flowers, and 

 stands and rustic vases blooming with beauty; every old tree trunk 

 covered with mosses and vines, hiding its unseemingly proportions; 

 then shall we find neatness and order assuming its place in the 

 interior of the house; the tired mother will find rest in the bright- 

 ness around her; the young people will have something to interest 

 them at home, and even the wee little ones in their play gardens 

 can enjoy " loving flowers." 



This must be woman's work. It may be a whimsical thought 

 that when weeds became Adam's portion, flowers became Eve's. 



"Are ye gifts from the angels, ye beautiful flowers? 

 Did they waft thy seeds from heavenly bowers?" 



Surely they do angel's work in lightening heavy hearts and 

 comforting weary souls. Most gladly would I welcome the 

 thought that these words may induce some to take an interest 

 in this matter, and in a regularly organized form, to set about 

 winning the attention of the really poor to the cultivation 

 of flowers. And while we wait for these societies to be formed, 

 let me suggest as a matter of experiment, that every one 

 who can do so, should procure seeds for distribution, and those 

 saved from last season, and give of their abundance, not neglecting 



