548 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the men. Besides being shut out of many occupations by physical incapac- 

 ity, and working for inferior pay in many of those in which by superior fit- 

 ness and faithfulness they have gained a foothold they find themselves el- 

 bowed by men, even in those vocations which belong especially to them, as, 

 for instance, millinery and dressmaking. But there is a pursuit in which 

 very few women are as yet engaged, which offers more advantages with fewer 

 drawbacks, than any other to which she can turn her attention. This is the 

 cultivation of small fruits. The leading characteristics of this work are 

 such as to recommend it especially to women. It is not laborious, does not 

 require great physical strength, and yet it furnishes proper and plentiful 

 exercise for both mind and body. There is but little heavy work connected 

 with it, and that little 'can be hired. It does not require much capital. 

 But little land is required, and no expensive implements. When the busi- 

 ness is begun in a small way, and gradually increased, there is scarcely any 

 expense worth naming. 



Women in Horticulture. — The American Garden says: 



We have no patience with tne superficial observers who twaddle about the 

 degrading effect of o t-door work upon women. They musu be peculiar women 

 who can be more "degraded" by working .n God's pure air, amid the beau iful 

 sights and sounds of nature, among the wonderful plants of garden and field, 

 than by being cooped up in a hot kitchen, handling pots and kettles, doing 

 chambar wor.s' and mending old clothes. No honest work is degrading to any 

 man or woman, unless it injures the moral nature or weakens the body. We 

 owe to our husbands and wives and children and to our Maker the duty of per- 

 forming the work before us to the best of our ability. We also owe to them 

 the duty of doing the work we are best fitted for, and to take good care of our 

 bodies in order that we may do our work well. 



No industrial pursuit is better fitted to women, and they to it, than horti- 

 culture ; tbe culture of fruits, flowers and vegetables, for pleasure or profit. 

 Already millions of women cultivate and love as pets the few floweriug plants 

 and vines in their windows ; thousand know the pleasure of flower beds; and 

 hundreds are practicing the art of gardening on a larger scale as a profession. 

 May their efforts succeed, and may thousands more join their number! Thus 

 will horticulture be honored, their own lives be made more beautiful and use- 

 ful and mankind be blessed by the better health and higher aims of the mothers 

 of Christendom. 



