Summer Meeting. 71 



SEEDS AXD GEEENHOUSE ELOWERS FOR THE YARD. 



By C. I. Robords, Butler. Mo. 



I have a friend whose presence is sunshine because his tastes, his 

 sympathies and his disposition are congeniaL I had an acquaintance 

 whose presence was wintry, because he was guilty of the cruel sentiment 

 that he would rather cultivate a whole field of onions than waste his 

 time on such things as flowers. There is a time and place for all proper 

 things. No one denies the healthfulness of all useful vegetables. One 

 who will not supply his own family with wholesome articles of diet is 

 worse than an infidel. I endorse the independence of those who so con- 

 sider the preservation of their health, as to do as they please in the supply 

 and preparation of their family diet. 



But in the cultivation and enjoyment of beautiful flowers on our 

 own premises there is remuneration from the time of the opening of the 

 first seed leaf to the fading of the last flower, and even beyond this, for 

 the joyous memory of a pleasant friend never perishes. Whatever 

 tends to the enjoyment of nature's gifts conduces to health and long 

 life. When one adorns his premises he becomes a public benefactor. 

 Planting is not for self alone. Have you not observed when approach- 

 ing the vicinity of a nursery or greenhouse how the influence of these 

 institutions has extended a marked improvement over the surrounding- 

 neighborhood ? Much of all missionary work is done by example. 



Pecuniarily, flowers are profitable. An attractive home is a salable 

 property. If, by some great disaster, the flowers of the world were to 

 be suddenly swept from the face of the earth brides and bridegroom^ 

 would appear as mourners, mourners at funeral occasions would be in 

 sack-cloth and ashes, and nations would go into fasting and prayer. 



Because of early associations I love the flowers of childhood. Th^ 

 zinnias and single petunias, the giant single hollyhocks, the bold sun- 

 flowers, morning glories and evening primroses ia,re beautiful, but alas ! 

 "out of fashion.'' The hybrids and importations, the wonderful novel: 

 ties of the present time fully convince us that Solomon in all his glory 

 "was not arrayed like one of these." 



