24:8 Missouri State Horticultural Society. 



AN ESSAY KEAD BEFORE THE BATES COUISTTY HOR- 

 TICULTURAL SOCIETY, JULY 19, 1884. 



BY MRS. H. B. FRANCIS, OF HOMER TOWNSHIP. 



Flowers are to the vegetable creation what poetry or music is 

 to the literary world, perhaps not as profitable, but certainly the 

 most beautiful of all things that grow. They are not only pleasing 

 to the eye, but they give out a sweet smelling fragrance that im- 

 parts an agreeable sensation that is indescribable and defies the art 

 of man to imitate. The cultivation of flowers is one of the few 

 labors, as well as pleasures, that improves alike the mind and heart, 

 and makes every true lover of these beautiful creations of infinite 

 love, wiser, purer and nobler, and teaches industry, patience, faith 

 and hope. We plant and sow in hope and patiently wait with 

 faith in the rainbow promise that the harvest shall never fail. It 

 is a pleasure that brings no pain, a sweet without a sour. We gaze 

 upon the beautiful plants and flowers with a delicious comming- 

 ling of admiration and love. They are the offspring of nature, 

 cultivated and improved by our forethought, taste and care, pro- 

 ducing a new, mysterious and glorious creation cherished and ad- 

 mired by all. By cultivation we can add new graces and mould 

 the earth, the sunshine and the rain into matchless beauty, and 

 crystalize the dewdrops into gems of loveliness. 



Cod doubtless could have made a world without a flower to 

 gild the landscape, but He in his wisdom and goodness did not do 

 so. After creating man in his own image He placed him in a 

 beautiful garden in which was every plant and flower that was pleas- 

 ant to the sight or good for food. When man became a law-breaker 

 he was expelled from the garden and compelled to work for food 

 among the thorns and thistles. In all parts of the civilized world 

 the refinement, innocence and happiness of the people may be 

 measured by the flowers they cultivate. The farm is not a place 

 for stolid drudgery and unthinking toil, but a field for study, 

 thought, research and culture ; a place where not only money but 

 an honorable name may be earned. When this is better under- 

 stood by our American farmers, our young men and maidens will 

 love the occupation of their fathers, and fiowers will adorn every 

 country home. But if the father begrudges wife and children a 

 few dollars and a little labor to make home pleasant and beautiful, 

 he need not be surprised if his children have no love for home. 



