40 Second Annual Report 



with nature. He only needs to be the intelligent master and she 

 lays at his feet blessings rich and beautiful. 



In his very able address at Montpelier a short time ago,. Pro- 

 fessor Hills told us what wonders science has done for the dairy- 

 man; but the dairy farm with its ten or its fifty cows is in- 

 complete in its construction and mission unless it has its garden, 

 its fruit orchard and its flowers. It presents a narrow one idea 

 appearance, and would indicate that its owner had become 

 so intent in making the dairy farm yield dollars that he was 

 losing sight of much that is beautiful and healthful in country 

 life. 



Right here let me say, that while we are on the farm as 

 a business and should meet and solve its problems in a business 

 like way; yet to bend every energy from daylight to dark, from 

 week's end to week's end, and from the year's beginning until 

 its close, in the getting of money is living far below one's priv- 

 ilege. It is not all of life nor the best of success to be able at 

 the year's end to say that there is a good margin on the right 

 side of the farm accounts. 



Surely we must admit that every farm, whatever its size 

 or whatever branch of agriculture is made a specialty, is incom- 

 plete without its garden for fruits and flowers. So much can 

 be raised from a small plot of ground if rightly managed. 

 Home grown vegetables are so appetizing when converted by 

 the skillful housewife into nutritious soup, tempting garnish, 

 or savory salad. Follow this with a fruit dessert, of which 

 there are a hundred and one kinds, all delicious, and you have 

 a dinner fit to set before kings, and it is nearly all grown within 

 a stone's throw of the kitchen door. Who but the farmer can 

 live so sumptuously? 



A diet composed largely of fruit and vegetables is believed 

 to be a very healthful one. What other one thing is more con- 

 ducive to happiness and prosperity tlian health ? This shows 

 plainly that health should be considered. Then let us urge the 

 raising of vegetables for the family's use. 



"Whence comes the beauteous progeny of spring! 



They hear a still small voice, 'Awake !' 

 And while the lark is on the wing. 



From dust and darkness break : 

 Flowers of all hues 



Laugh in the gale, 

 Sparkle with dews. 



And dance o'er hill and dale." 



These beautiful gifts of God were sent to cheer and bless 

 us. Flowers minister tO' the finer elements in our nature just 



