238 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



less extended. Nature might get on without art: hut art without 

 nature — never. Nature can make a bhide of grass: art can only 

 help it to grow larger, longer, better, and once more we may refer to 

 the wisdom of the poet, and as we look over the two fields, accord 

 with him, that "All art is nature better understood." 



Man is dependent for sustenance and comfort upon both fields. 

 All life and development is founded upon nature: improved condi- 

 tions upon art. These fields are open to whomsoever will, go in and 

 occupy them: but to be successful in them man must be master of 

 his art. To leave the figurative and turn to the real: it is the prov- 

 ince of horticulture to seek and accomplish greater excellence in nat- 

 tural productions, increase values, insure some greater degree of 

 beauty, encourage a growing interest in their subjects, by inquiry, 

 study, and experiment. This, and more. The horticulturist ought 

 to be, and generally is, I believe, a true lover of nature. His heart 

 responds to her voices; there is a refinement in him that is capable 

 of the best cultivation. Perhaps I have been exceptionally fortunate, 

 but I honestly think that those with whom I have had dealings have 

 always given me too generous measure for my money. It has led me 

 to think the profession makes people generous. I do not see how it 

 could be otherwise, for what are flowers, or fine lawns, or noble trees, 

 or delightful homes, without neighbors and friends to enjoy them — 

 and not only our immediate kindred, but the people of our town. 



What pride and pleasure we take in the well-kept grounds of 

 one of our own citizens; how lingeringly we gaze upon his bordered 

 walks and well-kept garden. We feel we have a share in it, and we 

 point it out to the stranger with us, although we have nothing of 

 our own to show him. The Creator remembered the poor lover of 

 beauty when he endowed him with appreciation, that sense by which 

 all that is fairest becomes his when he looks upon it. If your gar- 

 den wall be not too high your roses will be mine when I pass, for I 

 shall behold their beauties and inhale their fragrance. Scripture 

 tells us " No man liveth to himself alone,'' and this is certainly true 

 of him who labors in the field of miture or of art. 



It is told of the Benedictine monks of the sixth century that 

 they proved themselves a blessing to mankind, for they converted 

 the heaths and forests about them into flourishing farms, and were 

 the best husbandmen in Europe. When we look back through the 

 history of the ages we find that our Saxon ancestors, up to the six- 

 teenth century were little but herdsmen, keepers of cattle and sheep, 

 gluttonous flesh eaters. His black bread was his dessert. The fruits 

 that we enjoy were unknown. The healthful pleasures derived from 

 our extended bill of fare must greatly change the natures of a people. 



It is for the horticulturist to bring from the fields of nature and 

 art such fare and such ideas as will conduce to the highest develop- 

 ment of man and his children after him, to the end that they may 

 dwell in security, and reach a higher plane than the world has ever 

 seen. 



