168 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



his rale, and one that had never disappointed him. In planting hardy- 

 bulbs devote generous space to the narcissus ; they are such grand, 

 earnest, sweet- smelling things — modest, too, notwithstanding their 

 strength of limb and their heavenly perfume. Oue ought to be able to 

 say more for this bulb, as it is called "the poet's flower," but my in- 

 spiration sleeps in the heart of a lily, and all I can add to the theme is 

 this prosey statement: A lawn or garden without hardy bulbs looks 

 barren and unlovely long after the blue birds are here, and the leaves 

 have come out to see how the world looks this year, and the grass has 

 reached every possible corner for blossoms to brighten the sameness 

 of its costume. 



We may as well get all the joy we can out of the beautiful things 

 God has given us, and there is more real loveliness and sweetnesM 

 hidden away in the spheriod form of a bulb, waiting to be tucked away 

 in soil that is moist and rich, than can be found in any other form of 

 plant creation. 



Oh, wonderful life, from the soul of love. 



Wonderful gifts from the hand above; 

 Wonderful sweetness lingering long 



Like whispers soft of an angel's song. 



Blossoming things In a world of sin, 



Living with us In the mad world's din. 

 Loving with us the sweet mercy of God; 



Lifting bright faces— like souls— from the sod. 



OUE USEFUL BIRDS. 



I am afraid the title of this paper promises more than I can keep. 

 To speak of every one of our useful birds would take more time than I 

 have at my disposal, since 99 per cent of the 300 different kinds of 

 birds that visit our State are useful in one way or another. Every 

 bird that is not positively injurious must be regarded as useful, if for 

 no other reason than for the beneficial influence which the mere pres- 

 ence of the cheerful creature exerts on the mind of man. We are not 

 always aware of this influeuce, because we are so much used to it, but 

 its absence is felt by everybody. What would country life be without 

 the birds, with no birds on its broad fields, no bird song, no life in the 

 trees, no birds in the air, no return of joyous songsters and dear old 

 friends in spring? 



Even of the few species of hawks, which live mostly on smaller 

 birds, and are, therefore, regarded as unquestionably injurious. I am 

 not convinced that they do not perform some good offices in the 

 household of nature. It is said they do great damage ; but did they 



