',MG MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



fill gems, of great value, some of which have been brought to our view, 

 and, perhaps, there are others that may never be seen by the eye of man- 

 We may not be situated to view the landscape, or possess the priceless 

 gems, but we may possess objects of more comfort and more real beauty 

 to us. These are the beautiful flowers which God has placed around us- 

 They are appropriated in every stage of life, from our first coming 

 into existence to our exit from this world. They are used to cheer the 

 room of the sufferer as he lies tossing his aching head upon his pillow. 



What a comfort to him to have a bunch of flowers placed in his 

 room by the hand of a kind, loving, friend. They cause him to forget 

 for a time his suffering, and think of the one who so kindly remember- 

 ed him and of the outer w^orld. 



We strew the paths of the newly wedded pair with flowers as a 

 token or emblem of our wishes ancJ desires that their path through life 

 may be ever strewn with flowers, and that trouble and sorrow may es- 

 cape them. 



We place on the coffin-lid and grave of those we love the tender 

 flowers as a token of our love for them. 



We might enumerate other instances where flowers are used, but it 

 would be consuming time. We all see these instances nearly every day 

 so 'tis no need to mention them. 



Anyone, no matter to what state they have fallen, on beholding a 

 beautiful, attractive object cannot keep from admiring it. The sight of it 

 will no doubt call to memory days long flown. We no doubt have met 

 persons who have wandered away from home and native land, when 

 they see a happy household, or are asked about their childhood days, 

 will tell of a dear old spot perhaps miles away which was once their 

 home. There they toiled day after day on the old homestead, planting 

 a tree here, there, yonder, that they may have fruit in years to come, or 

 planting the flowers whose blossoms rival in beauty of the rainbow col- 

 or — making the old home happy, cheerful and attractive. He will paint to 

 us the cottage home where the bright sun shone smilingly upon it ; 

 where happiness and joy ever reigned; 'twas there he played in the 

 shade of some broad-spreading tree with his schoolmates and was happy. 

 He never grows weary talking of the beauties of the old home, and 

 holds the home of his childhood days sacred in his heart. 



Everyone may have flowers of some variety on their lawns. They 

 add to the beauty of the home, and they speak of the culture and hap- 

 piness of the inmates. 



The way to make our homes happy, is to make them beautiful and 

 attractive ; of course not to go beyond the means at command. Nei- 



