HORTICULTURE FOR THE PEOPLE. 



ADDRESS BY J. J. THOMAS, OF UNION SPRINGS, N. Y., BEFORE THE 

 MICHIGAN STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY,— THE ADRIAN MEETING. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



lu offering you a few remarks on this occasion, I propose to present some 

 thoughts which have occurred to me, on the benefits to the whole people of 

 this country, if all should give a share of their jiersonal attention to the culti- 

 vation of gardens. I include garden culture in its widest sense : fruits, flowers, 

 and ornamental trees, — everything that contributes to the comforts of intelli- 

 gent country and town life, and tends to increase the attractions of home. The 

 poet Cowper apostrophizes domestic happiness as the only bliss of paradise 

 that has survived the fall ; and although we do not and can not expect to make 

 home enjoyments so perfect as to shut out entirely the afflictions of life, we 

 may greatly mitigate these evils by securing to ourselves the comforts which a 

 kind Providence has placed within our grasp, and by cultivating the kindlier 

 instead of the hostile dispositions, in our intercourse with those around us. In 

 devoting a half hour to this subject, among those who know much more than 

 I on many points of practical horticulture, I am relieved by the reflection that 

 the subject itself is so important as to sustain any amount of comment even 

 from those who may fail to present it in any new aspect. Truth will bear 

 many repetitions. It is like the light of the sun, which appears the same on 

 each dawning morning, but its genial rays are ever welcome to all that possesses 

 and enjoys life. 



FRUITS A'SD FLOAVERS FOR EVERY FAMILY. 



The point which I wish especially to urge on this occasion, is that horticul- 

 ture is adapted to every dweller in this broad country, who either owns or 

 occupies a square rod of ground, and may add to the comforts of his family, 

 and increase the attractions of his home, by the cultivation of fruits and 

 flowers; and he who can devote a few acres may place upon his table, every 

 day in the whole year, a supply of wholesome, delicious, and refreshing fruit. 



THE CIRCLE OF FRUITS. 



Does any one hesitate in receiving this assertion ? Then let us examine the 

 subject for a moment. We begin Avith strawberries. Our tables are already 

 loaded with them, although the present season is later than usual. No more 

 skill nor labor is required for every farmer and village resident to secure for 

 himself a bountiful supply, than he devotes to his potatoes and cabbages— all 



