WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY. 113 



And now, last but not least, let us consider briefly the educational advan- 

 tages of this society, and the profession which we follow. It is not necessary 

 to ask: AVhat is pomology? What is floriculture and horticulture? What are 

 their influences, their tendencies, and their teachings? I shall not refer to 

 their commercial advantages, though they are of great importance. But will 

 remark, in an educational point of view, they affect the innermost character 

 of a people. Their whole tendency is of a conservative and refining character, 

 which attaches a people to the land in which they dwell. They not only 

 adorn, but they build up and establish the country. Their special mission is 

 to beautify, oruament, and make attractive, country life. They take hold of 

 the social, the intellectual elements of society, and nourish them, while they 

 give rest and peace to the head and heart. They attract from the city to the 

 country, the very best elements of the city. And it has been found that the 

 influences of trees and flowers, and of fountains and parks, are purifying and 

 restraining, and the bringing of fruits and flowers to the city table at all 

 seasons of the year, is combining the advantages of city and country life, and 

 throwing these advantages open and into the hands of the rich and poor. I 

 have no admiration for a pomologist who has no higher thought of his occu- 

 pation than that of work. I have no admiration for the son of a farmer who 

 leaves the farm to become a sort of city gentleman. As a sovereign, he is, in 

 his occupation, head and shoulders above all others. It is his part to create. 

 All other occupations are the results which his necessities have created. The 

 advance of railroads from the most distant points of civilization to the sea- 

 board, and the ships which whiten the seas, are the results of this class of 

 men who demand a rapid and safe transportation for the products which 

 Nature's lavish hand has thrown into their possession. 



The profession which we follow and which we represent here this evening, 

 not only educates us to a higher life, but it also teaches us to love the beautiful 

 in Nature. The robe of the earth above is spangled and sparkles with beauty; 

 the earth clothes herself annually with natural flowers. How beautiful the 

 garment Nature's hand has thrown over and around the world. Even the 

 infant child pays homage to Nature, in its admiration of the beauty and frag- 

 rance of flowers. Flowers are the alphabet of angels, and if we will cultivate 

 them and cherish them they will write on our hearts the language of heaven. 

 In fact, the influence that flowers have in making our homes happy and beau- 

 tiful, can hardly be estimated. Flowers form one of the most important 

 factors of civilization. Then let us cultivate flowers. We are glad to note 

 their beautifying presence here with us this evening. They particularly speak 

 to us in loving tones to be cheerful and happy. And while we contemplate 

 them as one of nature's choicest gifts, we are led to higher thoughts and pur- 

 poses in life. When we look at the majestic sunflower we are taught a lesson 

 of constancy and devotion to the teachings of Him who made this earth in 

 all its beauty. For it is an emblem of constancy and devotion to its god, the 

 sun. Moore has given us the following beautiful language: 



"The heart that has truly loved never forgets, 



But as truly loves on to the close 

 As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets 



The same look that she turned when he rose." 



To all whom I address this morning, and to every person seeking the higher 

 forms of pleasure, floriculture holds out the most enticing rewards. 



Are you a lover of beauty? Have you an eye which delights in colors? 

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