SUMMER MEETING AT BROOKFIELD. 37 



No plant of graceful, delicately cut foliage can boast of such ex- 

 ceedingly beautiful flowers as the homely cacti exhibit. A single blos- 

 som is a picture in itself, ' ; a rare consummate flower." 



But the rose may truly be called the queen of flowers. It is found 

 in almost every country, and is everywhere equally prized for its 

 beauty, delicate perfume and useful properties. The rose is more inti- 

 mately acquainted with our daily life than any other flower, and is 

 associated with our most sacred memories. Anacreon says : 



"Rose! thou art the sweetest flower 

 That ever drank the amber shower ; 

 Rose ! thou art the fondest child 

 Of dimpled spring, the wood-nymph wild." 



Science tells us that when the earth was preparing for the habita- 

 tion of our race, the few flowers then existing were crude and homely, 

 and that they ascended into variety and put on their robes of beauty to 

 greet the opening eye of man. On nodding stem and waving branch 

 God has hung the blossoms of snowy whiteness or of ciimson hues as 

 perpetual expressions of his regard for us. 



"In populous towns, and in climes man ne'er trod, 

 They blossom in beauty, the free gift of God." 



.. 



The following from the pen of Dr. Dio Lewis is worthy of thought: 

 The beauty and fragrance of flowers add not a little to the pleasure 

 of the table hour. A large fragrant boquet takes the place of an extra 

 dish, and nothing is so cheap as flowers. During a considerable part 

 of the year they cost absolutely nothing. It is the sweetest pleasure 

 to raise them, and it is surprising how cheap a small conservatory may 

 be managed. It is such a pleasure to observe how the love tor flowers 

 is increasing. Their sweet beauty brightens the most unexpected 

 places, while their presence inspires almost every pulpit. The service 

 of flowers at the table in recalling the lost appetite of the invalid has 

 long been recognized. Their service in refining the appetites of all is 

 not generally appreciated." 



Plants which are faithfully tended give the full reward of all the 

 labor that has been spent upon them by their bloom and beauty. But 

 all the reward is not received in leaf and flower alone, but as the 

 "winged hierarch" who held converse with Adam in the Garden of 

 Eden said : 



"Flowers and their fruit, 



Man's nourishment, by gradual scale sublime, 



To vital spirits aspire, to animal, 



To intellectual : give both life and sense. 



Fancy and understanding; whence the soul 



Reason receives, and reason is her being." 



