113 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the only care bestowed upon them was to give them a deep soil, with a little 

 from their own native home. Permit me to name a few plants from which a 

 slight idea can be formed by those who have given no attention to the subject, 

 of the resources Avithin the reach of every one who lives in the country. First 

 comes the Christmas Eose {^Hellthorus), pushing its buds through the snow, 

 which open in the warmth of a room ; as soon as the frost permits, Bloodroot 

 {Sang Ulnar i a) throws up its snowy flowers, fair enough to grace any garden by 

 this time ; sheltered by mossy stones, or at the foot of ancient trees, clusters of 

 bright Easter flowers {Hepatica triloba) laugh in the sunlight; then comes the 

 numerous family of Violets, purple, white, yellow, and blue, one found in moist 

 woodlands, of "fairyland's own heavenly blue." These bloom far into May, 

 and later if the season is cool and damp. In the groves and sheltered fence- 

 rows the fair Wind Jloiver {Anemone), shows its delicate flowers. In two 

 instances I have found them perfectly double ; one of these has been in my 

 garden several years. Phloxes of various colors, one of an exquisite shade of 

 blue; Spireas, Eupatoriums, Thalictrums, Lobelias ; most conspicuous among 

 them is the Cardinalis. These love cultivation and repay your care with a 

 more abundant bloom. Lilies rich and beautiful. But among the loveliest of 

 all is the fringed Gentian {Gentiana crenata), shy of cultivation, but worthy 

 every effort to domesticate it. It is a biennial, and the seeds do not come up 

 the first year. I am bewildered by the endless list which presents itself to my 

 mind, and yet I have not named a creeper of all the host that abound in every 

 thicket, drape every hedge row, and shed beauty and grace on every blasted 

 tree trunk. Shrubs and small flowering; trees too, are found everywhere. 

 When one becomes interested, they find them upspringing to their hand, these 



" Bright missals from angelic throngs, 

 In every by-way left." 



Of small trees let me name one, though a long catalogue could be given of 

 those desirable. Our native Crab apple, symmetrical in form, rich in foliage, 

 lovely in its abundance of flowers which fill the air with delicious fragrance, 

 should have a place in the choicest collection. 



" Think of all these treasures 



Matchless works and pleasures. 

 Every one a marvel, more than thought can say ; 



Grossest band may test them, 



But may prize them never, 

 Yet they rise, and rise, and rise — marvels sweet forever." 



When I think of the goodness of God, in spreadingso widely and lavishly 

 these beautiful evidences of his care and love, I cannot bear that one should 

 remain indifferent to them. From the frozen north to the equator they beam 

 upon us ; from the wayside, the quiet dell, the margin of the placid lake, by 

 the borders of the rippling brooklet and along the banks of the laughing 

 stream, each spot is brightened by their presence. Beneath the dim arches of 

 the forest, w'herever a ray of heaven's light can penetrate, some sweet blossom 

 is upturned to greet it. From the valley to the summit of the cloud-clapped 

 mountain I aye, aye, to the very verge of Alpine glaciers, fair, delicate, 

 fragrant flowers are scattered by the Divine hand. 



" Leaning their cheeks against the thick-ribbed ice^ 

 And looking up with brilliant eyes to Him 

 Who bids them bloom unblanch'd amid the waste^ 

 Of desolation." 



