SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 547 



fixes to other fruits. It is hardly reasonable to require every one of the ten 

 thousand fruit-raisers in the country to write these sterile words every time 

 they refer to these pears. Many other names are inappropriate or misleading, 

 or have been applied by disseminators to help the sale of second-rate sorts, and 

 others are coarse and vulgar ; and it is entirely within the province of the 

 American pomological society, on behalf of the great multitude who are to 

 use these names, to correct or improve them. 



OUT-DOOK GARDENING FOR WOMEN. 



Gardening for Health. — To those who listened to Dr. F. M. Hexamer's 

 response to the sentiment " Health at the end of a hoe-handle," at the 

 last meeting of the American Pomological Society, the following thoughts 

 from his pen will come with an earnest meaning. that people would read 

 and apply them: " To those who have liking and fondness for plants and 

 flowers — and we pity any one who has not — nothing will prove so efficacious 

 as 'gardening for health." When engaging board at a farm-house, they 

 should at the same time secure for themselves a piece of ground in the 

 garden. Here they should sow and plant a few flowers or vegetables, or 

 whatever appears most promising, attend to their needs, and devote a certain 

 time every day to their care. It is surprising how soon one becomes inter- 

 ested in such work. Or, if you prefer, you may work a little in the farm- 

 garden, which will probably not be objected to, unless you are so deficient in 

 botanical knowledge as to pull out the watermelons instead of rag-weeds. 



" Pale, delicate young ladies, whom often the slightest exertion tires, will 

 also find that a little time regularly spent in the garden will have a favorable 

 effect upon their system. Thick-soled shoes will keep your feet dry, a broad- 

 rimmed sun-bonnet guard your complexion, and a pair of old kid gloves 

 protect your hands from becoming rough. Devote the first part of the 

 morning, or an hour before sunset, to your garden. Commence with what 

 seems to you the easiest and most pleasant work — tying a climbing vine 

 against the porch, cutting off the fading flowers from your plants, or raking 

 a flower-bed; but, whatever your fancy may suggest, do not tire yourself out 

 in the beginning ; better to work only five minutes at a time than become 

 fatigued and discouraged. With the interest you take in your garden your 

 strength will gradually increase, your drooping spirit will revive, and the 

 blush of your roses will become reflected upon your own cheeks." 



A Field for Woman. — Matthew Crawford, of Ohio, says: 



We hear much about the avenues that are open to women at the present 

 day, but look at the subject as we may, they have not an equal chance with 



