THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 151 



fruit man; if he is selfish he is more than likely to bring failure upon his own business 

 should he try to outdo his neighbor by having nothing in common with him. We desire 

 that broad liberal loyalty that is always sure of victory in the end. Our government 

 is a cooperative one and its spirit should also be found in our business. 



BLOSSOMS AND FRUIT. 



(kITTIE C. MCCOY, WALLED LAKE.) 



It is generally conceded that with the approach of the new year comes the time for new 

 plans and new resolutions, but after all there are better plans and more earnest resolutions 

 made with the coming of spring. 



As when the softly stepping dawn 

 Brings gladness when the night is gone; 

 Shakes out her sun-kissed robes of light, 

 And puts the shadows all to flight. 

 So spring draws near. 



From winter's hands so icy cold 

 She plucks the treasures which they hold; 

 With gentle touch, yet firm withal. 

 Thrusts back the gloom of winter's pall 

 And gives us cheer. 



As one by one the leaves unfold and the swelling buds open into the full beauty of the 

 perfect blossom, hopes which may have slumbered, or may have been buried beneath 

 the cares and perplexities of life, spring into new being and whisper of the fulfillment of 

 the promises which the buds and blossoms contain. 



There is so much in the spring tide which is suggestive of new life, so much in the re- 

 adornment of our beautiful earth that awakens ambition and inspires effort in every true 

 lover of nature. Emerson says that "the lover of nature is he whose inward and outward 

 senses are perfectly adjusted to each other, who has retained the spirit of infancy even 

 into the era of manhood." 



The woods, the rocks, the hills, the plains each have a chann of their own, but there 

 is an indescribable fascination in the beauty and fragrance of the flowers, for be the blossom 

 ever so frail and delicate, and ever so ready to give its petals to the passing breeze, still 

 it holds the promise of further blessing in the fruitage of bye and bye. 



There is in every heart a love and admiration, more or less strong, for nature in its 

 primal state. The hidden possibilities of garden, field and wood should appeal to every 

 one, and there is surely something defective in the makeup of that individual who sees 

 no beauty in the flowers, no grandeur in the rocks and hills, no charm in the silence and 

 solitude of the woods. 



The flowers are nature's lingerie, whose bright hues lend touches of color to her robe 

 of green and whose perfumes gives sweetness to the breath of the winds. The fniits are 

 nature's jewels which gleam with the dew-diamonds upon her bosom with a value imtold. 



It should be considered a wonderful privilege to be allowed to plant the vine, the bush, 

 the tree whose bloom may charm the eye and whose fruit may refresh as nothing else can. 

 Many a favorite fruit tree was planted by ancestral hands and the custom of tree planting 

 should be established by law if sentiment is wanting. 



Oliver W^endell Holmes gave expression to this beautiful sentiment, "When we plant 

 a tree we are doing what we can to make our planet a more wholesome and happier dwelling 

 place for those who come after us if not for ourselves," and this should be taught to every 

 boy and girl on the farm and they should be encouraged to put the thought in practice. 



A man who was feeble and bent and old, 



Delved by the wayside one bright spring day. 

 Trembling, he scarce could his shovel hold, 



Yet patiently ever he toiled away. 

 A child, light hearted and blithe and gay, 



Untouched as yet by the hand of care. 

 Came merrily singing along the way 



And wondered, seeing the toiler there. 



