344 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Every mother should gain and retain the cofidence of her children ; let her 

 see that every step in the training of her children be a preparation for them to take 

 still higher steps in the development of their own powers. Let her teach the 

 girls, that they become adepts in all duties that are necessary to the harmonious 

 development of the home, and let her teach all household ways and economies, 

 not only to the girls but the boys. Let the boys learn the art of bread -making and 

 dish-washing, for so many of the coming men seem so loath to pursue the higher 

 education which the girls so eagerly seek to obtain, that they may find the tables 

 reversed in the future, and they may be the home-keepers while the girls are the 

 bread-winners and law-makers. There is an old adage, that the way to a man's heart 

 is through his stomach ; so every woman shou.d seek to become an adept in cook- 

 ing, and exert their best skill in preparing appetizing and healthful food for their 

 families, remembering that mind and bodies are so closely united that what aflFect& 

 the one affects the other, and we cannot expect sweet-temperfd children and agree- 

 able and attentive husbands, unless we minister to their material comfort, nor can 

 we expect high intellectual attainment if the body be poorly nourished. 



We know that the woman of the house can give a congenial air, a home- like 

 attitude to the interior of the^home; her influence has much to do with the fashion- 

 ing of the environment of the home ; she wields a mighty influence, and if she 

 knows how, can in many and subtile ways decide matters of taste in the arrange- 

 ment of the lawn and building, without appearing to do so. 



Self-forgetful and self-sacrificing in a thousand little acts of love and forbear- 

 ance, woman can add happiness to the home, and though her labors of love are oft 

 unappreciated and taken as a matter of course, and she longs for the word of 

 approval, yet, in the assurance of duty done, and an approving conscience, her 

 heart is lightened and reflects upon the househould. 



Let the mother in every household remember that she is doing work that is 

 permanent, that her example and precept are affecting the character of those about 

 her, that it is work for life and eternity. Let her consider and tread carefully in all 

 household ways. Time fails to enumerate the many ways and means by which 

 woman can make happy the home. I leave it for your consideration and discus- 

 sion. And though, perhaps, few of us ever realize our ideals, let us not lower them, 

 but bring to the home, making the best efforts of which we are capable, and we 

 may make even an humble home, homey and restful, and our loved ones may feel as 

 the poet Whittier expresses it, that ",It is a great thing to have a little bit of the 

 Lord's earth up to the heavens," and happy ought we to be to rear thereon a Chris- 

 tian home. 



Let us be of those of whom it might be said : 



"I thought of lives thus lonely, clogged and pent, 

 Which yet find room, 

 Through care and cumber, coldness and decay. 

 To lend a sweetness to the ungenial day. 

 And make earth happier for their bloom . " 



Carthage, 1893. Mrs. George H. McCartey. 



GEEENE COUXTY. 



The year just closing has been a very successful one for our So- 

 ciety. The meetings have been well attended, generally very interest- 

 ing, and many new members added. From May to October, inclusive^ 



