200 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Such may home be, whether in city or country. But as agriculture 

 plays such an important part in the commercial interests of the coun- 

 try, it is the country home of vast importance and interest to society 

 and to the nation. Eead the sketches of the lives of our prominent 

 men for a reason. Is it the men who were reared in city homes who 

 who are managing the affairs of government or hold the great financial 

 interests in their grasp ? Dr. Crafts has investigated the matter and 

 found that fifty-seven per cent of the successful men come from the 

 country districts. The list of illustrious farmer boys is very long, and 

 sets one to thinking why it should be that these have attained promi- 

 nence over the the boys who have, because of their surroundings, had 

 greater intellectual advantages. He gives as some of the reasons the 

 country boy's physical and moral pre-eminence. Pure air, plain food, 

 regular out door work, early sleep and freedom from cirgarettes and 

 saloons, he says give the farmer boy an advantage of thirteen per cent 

 when he comes to the city to enter upon a commercial or professional 

 life. What is true of the boy is not less true of the girl, who receives 

 an equally important discipline and acts an equally important iu her 

 own sphere. What wonder then the character of these homes is of 

 great interest. Surely they should be true homes. Xot many may be 

 luxurious, but all may have touches of beauty, order and attractiveness. 

 Pictures may adorn the walls, however inexpensive, which will be pleas- 

 ing, and from which the little one will unwittingly receive impressions 

 which they will never lose. The pictures which children see from day 

 to day have more effect on their minds than we think. 



No home is complete without flowers, for they are among the most 

 beautiful things nature produces. Everyone is born with a love of the 

 beautiful, the most ennobling feeling of the human mind, exalting and 

 purifying it. Every object in nature is capable of conveying ideas of 

 beauty, so it would seem that it was intended by the Maker of all these 

 beautiful things that we should be constantly under their influence. 

 This is suggestive. All of the beauty which it is possible to transfer 

 or imitate should surround us in our homes. This love for beautiful 

 things can be cultivated or checked, gifted by right guidance with 

 faultless sense, or warped and diseased by neglect. It is one of the 

 gifts ; neglect it not, and thus fail in the mission of our lives. The 

 pleasure of hearing is another gift. One of the most enjoyable accom- 

 plishments in the home is music. It is an educating influence, and 

 awakens the purest and loftiest emotions of the heart. It is a delight- 

 ful source of entertainment also. The hours beguiled with song are 

 well spent, and have pleasant memories in later years. 



