THE SUMMER MEETING. 55 



lip the earth of the flower beds and aroniid the rose bushes and shrubs, and 

 clipped ofE here and there the straggling branches, now retire to the kitchen to 

 prepare the evening meal, that supper may bo ready when father and mother 

 return. A few moments later and the farmer with his fine team of grays turns 

 into the lane that leads to the barn-yard and stops near the house, where the 

 boys are waiting to take charge of the horses. After they have alighted and the 

 packages have been transferred from the wagon to the store-room, the farmer 

 leads the way to the stables, where he exhibits with pride his fine horses, sleek 

 and fat cattle, sheep and swine in perfection; then his cliickens and turkeys, 

 and last, but not least, his pigeons. In tlie latter he takes great delight, and 

 says it takes a few of them to give life to a barn-yard. 



After a delicious supper has been served, and an hour of social chat with the 

 family, we take our leave with the promise to come again ere long. 



And as we journey homeward we find ourselves propounding the following 

 questions: Have we not seen to-day the real foundation from which springs 

 the most ennobling characters of men and women? Is it not from this source 

 that springs the greatest intellects of our age? Homes like the one we have 

 just seen are the primary school rooms for presidents, judges, and men of the 

 highest rank and attainments in our nation, and of women whose cultivation 

 is both refined and practical, ever a center of social attraction, always trying 

 to be useful and kind, ever pure and true. 



Is it not true that such homes as we have described become so attractive to 

 the young that the parental roof and the happy home of our early years have 

 an influence for good on our whole life? Do not the lessons taught us then 

 rise often to our aid at the most trying periods of our after years, often turning 

 us from ways that are degrading, establishing us on the paths of uprightness 

 and virtue, and becoming a bar to us from all evil? Does this not bring us in 

 a closer sympathy with nature and a more thorough reliance on nature's God? 

 It is through our knowledge of trees, shrubs and flowers that our minds are 

 expanded to a wider range of thought, and a better understanding of nature 

 and her laws. It develops the intellect, refines the character, and creates a 

 higher standard of moral being. 



But farmers often say such things are out of place in the country, and take 

 up too much of the time that is required for work on the farm. But why out 

 of place in tlie country? There is no place in the wide world where nature and 

 ai't can be so effectively combined as in the country, or be made as attractive, 

 and the occasional hours spent in this character of ornamentation may be well 

 taken from those devoted to more unprofitable pursuits. 



In conclusion let me suggest to those who have not begun this good work of 

 adornment to try it for one season, devoting what would otherwise be hours of 

 leisure to this especial purpose, and I will venture to say that nine out of every 

 ten will long for the return of spring, that they may again enjoy an occasional 

 hour in home embellishment. 



Mr. Tate : We naturally associate children and flowers, and I believe we 

 have a duty to perform in bringing more flowers about our school-houses 

 where the children spend so much of their time. It gives pleasant employ- 

 ment out of school hours in the caring for them. 



Mr. Comings: We have plenty of go-ahead spirit among our boys in 

 America, but I note a lack of polish that only comes from connection with 

 and appreciation of beautiful and tasteful things. Flowers and their culture 

 add to the refinements of home everywhere, and I verily believe if more atten- 

 tion were given to these matters at the school-house its influence would extend 



