KEPOliTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 347 



add to the comfort and luxury of liis tixblc if he would cultivate it. "I 

 Avork it !" he exclaimed " you don't suppose these fingers could d\<>; or delve," 

 holding uj) his thin bloodless lingers, "and if they could, I know nothing 

 about gardening." 



The result of the conversation was that he concluded to try, and try lie did 

 to a purpose. 



By working an liour and a half each morning, he dug the ground all over 

 himself, set i)lants, sowed seeds, and thus furnished his family with an abun- 

 dance of fresh vegetables and fruits all the season, and became strong and rug- 

 ged in health. 



More than all others it would seem that the far/ue?' might, and would be the 

 possessor of an excellent garden. Land is plenty, there are plenty of materi- 

 als for putting the land in good condition, and all the implements necessary 

 for use are on hand. But what do we find on many farms? All the time, 

 strength and capital are needed (or believed to be) to grow wheat, corn, etc. 

 All good and desirable in their place, but one doesn't want to live on these- 

 alone. One wants something besides bread and meat for breakfast, meat and 

 bread for dinner, and what is left, for supper. 



You may visit places where your diet will consist of bread, pork, dried 

 apples and potatoes, early in the season ; later, the potatoes will be missing, 

 and the women folks may be seen searching around out of doors, that possi- 

 bly they may find something green. Every dandelion and dock leaf is seized 

 upon, all the cowslips are made way with, and if there chance to be a few 

 straggling currant bushes, they will be laid under tribute almost as soon as out 

 of blossom, and before the fruit is worth anything, it is all gone. Now wouldn't 

 a good variety of vegetables and fruits be more toothsome and healthy? 

 Would not a farm command a greater price with a well tilled garden upon it, 

 than without? As gardening is the oldest, is it not also one of the most ini 

 portant and pleasant occupations of life? 



