233 Missouri State Horticultural Society. 



it the prominence it deserves among the professions of the world. 



We will then see it as one of the first and best occupations for man 



to engage in, even as it was in the beginning, when man was put in 



the garden to dress it. 



L. A. QOODMAX, 



MISSION OF FLOWEKS. 



Flowers are nature's jewels, and deserving of a place in our 

 hearts as well as our homes ; our homes are more home-like by 

 reason of their presence. Even the rude dug-out or log-cabin of 

 the pioneer is made attractive by a vine covering the doorway and a 

 few flowers cultivated in its adornment. We always feel the better 

 when coming in contact with people who thus care for a little 

 flower. Then let each home have a place for their cultivation. 

 They will reward us with both beauty and fragrance. They will 

 teach us the important lessons of life — bringing us closer to the 

 great author who wrote " Consider the lilies of tlie field." 



The influence of flowers is potent upon all for good. And 

 sordid, indeed, must be the nature which does not receive pleasure 

 from them. How the little child loves them ; from earliest infancy 

 they behold them with delightful ecstacy. And what is more 

 pleasing than thus to see pure little ones lovingly gather these 

 treasures a gift to papa, perhaps, as he comes home from a day of 

 toil or vexatious business. 



The progress of our race is indicated by the care of flowers ; at 

 least as we grow in importance as a people it is seen in the cultiva- 

 tion and love cherished for them. 



No home would be complete without them. JSTeither could a 

 home fail of benefit from their presence in intelligence, virtue and 

 refinement. They bring us to love the infinite and remove from 

 us the bad. Immorality and vice cannot exist where there is a 

 proper ai)preciation for the fiowers. How generous has been the 

 Father in his dissemination of " Nature's Jewels." He has planted 

 them upon every hill top and in every dell. He has spread them 

 like a carpet under our feet. No place howsoever secluded but 

 plants and fiowers giving forth beauty and fragrance, and thus 

 throughout the year giving manifestations of His love. How they 

 twine themselves to our hearts when sad or alone. Many instances 

 could be given where but for the presence of a plant life had been 

 unsupportable. While the companionship of a plant has given the 

 comfort coming from a mind employed with a purpose'. How 

 touchingly beautiful and pathetic is the case illustrated by Boni- 

 face in his inimitable story of Picciola. The Count of Charney, a 



