254 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



WASTE PLACES. 



MRS. C. C. BELL, BOONVILLE, MO. 



In looking over the broad field of Nature, we find its landscape 

 varied in color and design. Here a meadow carpeted by soft grasses^ 

 where lowing herds breathe contentment; there a hillside clothed with 

 forest trees to its very summit, and beyond, where things material be- 

 come ethereal, is the sun pouring down its rays of cheerfulness and 

 splendor, shedding over all a light that all Nature, down to the tiniest 

 birds and bees seem exhilarated. And yet, in this same landscape we 

 find places that even the sun's cheerful rays cannot brighten — waste 

 places. 



There was once in the vicinity of London a place called " The Fire 

 Fields," which was a most unhealthy, clayey swamp. It was the dread 

 of all night travelers, and also of all classes of people. At length in- 

 ventive genius was brought to bear on that unwholesome place, and it 

 was found to have a fine substratum of gravel. The clay was taken 

 from the top and burnt into brick, and now on that same spot stands 

 some of the finest residences in London. 



This may be suggestive of a hint of our influence morally. There 

 are moral swamps in every city, both large and small, which are espe- 

 cially adapted for the attraction of the innocent, and our influence may 

 be great in " rescuing the perishing." Mankind was placed in this- 

 world to do good. This great mission is not confined to a few, but to 

 all. But let us see the good mankind has accomplished in reclaiming 

 the wastes. 



Years ago our continent stood with its rich land a waste. Many 

 were the places where the tread of man was never heard. Its inhabit- 

 ants are few and scattered, living chiefly by their bow and arrow, and 

 groping on in ignorance and superstition. An intelligent and enlight- 

 ened people buy the waste for a mere song, clear the dense forests, 

 till the ground, build up cities, and bring the gold from its hiding place ^ 

 until the civilization has spread to its most distant parts of the continent. 

 Let us view the present: are there not waste places in our land 

 to-day .' 



We acquire land, build our homes: what is the appearance of our 

 yards ? As a general rule we find the industrious, thriving people with 

 their yards beautifully adorned with shrubs and flowers, while in the 

 rear we find a small garden furnishing them with all the vegetables 

 they can consume. After the day's work is over, either physical or 



