46 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



of the world to its gratification. Flowers are almost the 

 first objects that excite the admiration of the infant; and 

 this sentiment abates not through all the stages of life and 

 amidst all its cares, perplexities, and sufferings, and finally 

 lays the choicest floral tribute upon the casket of the dead 

 as the most appropriate substitute for the departed spirit. 

 This sentiment is apparent, not alone among the civilized 

 and cultivated, — in their conservatories, their boudoirs, their 

 gardens, or their tables, on their persons, in their sick-rooms 

 and nurseries, in their churches everywhere, — but it is the 

 inspiration of the wild savage of the forest, the besotted 

 Caffre, the superstitious Hindoo, and the stupid Green- 

 lander. Everywhere the lowest order of intelligence, as 

 well as the highest, appreciates this loving gift of a Father's 

 hand. 



To meet this demand, we find the marvellous variety, not 

 only in form, size, and tint, adapted to the corresponding 

 diversity of tastes and to the changes through which taste 

 passes by cultivation, but similar variety defined by the vari- 

 ous mental constitutions and habits of different nations and 

 communities. 



And what contributes largely to this wonderful supply, 

 and insures perpetual novelty, is the ability to propagate 

 endless variety by cultivation. We must not dwell upon 

 this feature of the floral kingdom. 



We commiserate the man or woman who can walk the 

 green earth, uninspired by the beauty with which a loving 

 Father has so profusely adorned the pathway on every side. 

 We see not how such can appreciate the floral beauty of 

 paradise, so vividly pictured by the Revelation. 



In the most deliglitful harmony with the beautiful, the 

 fragrance of the floral kingdom is scarcely less prolific of 

 pleasure to the sense of smell. Indeed, it is difficult to tell 

 which possesses the greater power of inspiration, Avliich 

 most to admire, — the delicate tints which adorn the trailing- 

 arbutus and tiny violet, or tlie sweet odors they exlude. 

 Both combine to inspire the delightfid anticipations of the 

 blooming and fruitful season of which they are the harbin- 

 gers. Every fibre of our being is thrilled witli exquisite 

 emotion when we walk in the solitude of the forests, with 

 thfe canopy of fresh verdure above and around us, and the 



