WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY. 123^ 



ence to bear upon thoso who are most susceptible to impressions. Thus, 

 naturally, we turn to the young and endeavor to instil into their minds the 

 importance of the desired result. If this is thoroughly done the seed is- 

 sown which in time will materialize and produce that which was impressed 

 upon them as an idea. Where, then, can we better begin this work than at 

 the district school ground? In place of the schoolhouse standing almost in 

 the road, on a plat of about one-fourth of an acre, and the highway for a 

 play-ground, let us have ample grounds surrounding the schoolhouse, planted 

 with trees, vines, and flowers. Among these let the children take their first 

 lessons in botany. The impressions received — the lessons learned amid such 

 surroundings — will not be lost. In after life memory will revert to the 

 pleasant places where so many happy days were spent. Tha love of the 

 beautiful, and an appreciation of the fitness of things will grow with their 

 growth and strengthen as they mature into man and womanhood. They will 

 not be content with having things no better than their fathers', but will ever 

 be reaching out after a higher type of life and will rise to and live upon a 

 higher plane of existence. The current which is bearing the race to a 

 higher destiny will run a little broader through their lives. 



Have we, then, no duty to the children? If horticultural and pomological 

 societies had no other work before them than the ornamentation of school 

 grounds, would not this alone be worthy of the time and money spent? 

 There is need of improvement in this connection, and the people are looking 

 to you to lead because the work is in sympathy with your tastes, thoughts, 

 and occupations. 



Another important work for horticulturists would be the fitting up and mak- 

 ing beautiful the resting place of the dead, because it is the place where we 

 lay away our loved ones, and also where we expect to be laid. How fondly 

 memory reverts to some gentle slope, where the sunshine lingers lovingly and 

 warms into life and beauty the fragrant blossoms planted by loving hands over 

 the grave of the departed. How much more satisfying to the sensitive mind, 

 than costly monument of sculptured stone, are the few fragrant flowers, 

 tended carefully, and the tear of sorrow on the blue and white vincas which 

 creep tenderly over the mound beneath which the dear ones are laid. 



We have in our great land, thanks to the wisdom and skill of our horticul- 

 turists and artists, many beautiful cemeteries, but we want more. Every 

 village and hamlet should have its "City of the Dead" made lovely by united' 

 effort, with trees, vines, and flowers. All honor to our horticulturists whose 

 lives have been spent so closely to nature's heart that they learned her secrets 

 and from her have drawn their inspiration. How different is the sensation 

 produced on the mind, as we think of our departed laid away amid such sur- 

 roundings, than thought of cremation. Only a few dry ashes ! To the sensi- 

 tive, how shocking ! In densely populated countries (as a sanitary measure) it 

 i» doubtless best, but in our own broad and beautiful land no such sacrifice is- 

 needed. Let us think of the remains of those who have left us as resting 

 amid nature's loveliest productions. Let us plant our burial-places with that 

 which is most beautiful and appropriate, that they may become places where: 

 we shall wish to go with tributes to the memory of those who are gone. 



