SUMMER MEETING AT BUTLER. 77 



lion of flowers. Who in all the world sees so much of God in his avo- 

 cation as the intelligent votary of horticulture? 



In the spring time the garden with its succession of health giving 

 vegetables and the nobility of perfume-laden flowers, the breath of 

 God still upon them; in the summer with its course of small fruits, 

 deliciously inviting, succeeded by the blood-purifying black berry and 

 the ambrosial fruit of the vineyard; in the autumn the nectar of the 

 peach and pear ; in the winter the ever ready staple that never cloys, 

 yielding sweet enjoyment of winter nights, while the bay window or 

 conservatory, even amid arctic snows, hold summer flowers, ex- 

 haling sweet perfume — all, all, at even-tide, call us round the family 

 altar, where from the great light of truth we read of His love, and on 

 bended knees offer our devotions to Almighty God, whose tender mer- 

 cies are over all his works. 



In all the seasons the yesiv round, the lover of this vocation is 

 brought into close communion and fellowship with Him who gave man 

 his first occupation and walked in the garden in the cool of the even- 

 ing, as friend and companion of him who was made a little lower than 

 the angels. 



With thoughts ever in such a train and such influences around 

 him, he must be depraved, indeed, if he be not elevated in moral char- 

 acter, refined in his tastes, chastened in his language, purified in his 

 thoughts, holy in his affections, thankful in his heart, and full of adora- 

 tion and praise to HTm who is the author of our ennobling avocation. 



This was followed by a song, "All hail the power of Jesus' name," 

 after which Major Ragan read the following paper : 



ORNAMENTAL. 



BY Z. S. RAGAN, OF INDEPENDENCE. 



Ornamental is a very comprehensive term and will admit of being 

 applied to the attire of our persons, to architecture, etc. Yet, as ap- 

 plied to horticulture, we may be excused at the present for confining 

 the subject of this paper mainly to the cultivation of a taste for rural 

 improvements. Still the same spirit should prevail in town and city. 



A century or two ago, it was the work of half a lifetime for the 

 pioneer to open up a farm to afford a comfortable family support, or 

 to build up a town or city. But the fast age in which we live, through 



