414 What is the use of Botany ? September, 



and the cultivation necessary to their successful growth and develop- 

 ment, will serve to inspire the student with new delight at every step. 

 If thus studied, Botany would be found replete with useful as well 

 as pleasing instruction to the Agriculturist. He would learn here 

 the peculiar adaptation of various soils and climates to the plants, 

 and animals to be nourished and fed, the necessity of the presence of 

 certain plants in certain localities to render such places habitable ; the 

 economical uses of diiferent plants for food, for clothing, for building, 

 for mechanical purposes, for fuel, for coloring and for light. The 

 medicinal properties of certain plants, the infinite variety of fruits; 

 not for subsistence merely, but for luxury ; the uses of plants in the 

 fine arts for imitation, for adornment, and for taste. The chemical 

 qualities of plants in their particular uses, and in their general 

 influences upon the atmosphere which we breathe, in the gasses which 

 they take in, and those which they exhale. The control and influence 

 which human sagacity and power have been able to exert over the 

 vegetable world, in acclimating and propagating plants, in fructifjdng 

 and engrafting, and chano-ing the difl"erent species; all these matters, 

 directly involved in the science of Botany, render it one of the most 

 interesting and profitable of studies. But aside from all this, the 

 simple cultivation of flowers, without knowledge, or technical skill, is 

 not without its benefits to the humble cottager that dwells in the 

 country. I know the cattle raiser of Kentucky may regard this as a 

 small business, unworthy his attention. He may have the pinks and 

 posies for the amusement of his wife and children, and be ashamed of 

 being charged with such small matters. Nay, he may, as he often is, 

 be equally unmindful of a vegetable garden, and be satisfied with a 

 few rows of potatoes across his cornfield, and a bartiyard devoted to a 

 cabbage patch. Nevertheless, he can not convince any passerby that 

 that place where there is a well arranged vegetable garden and 

 fruitage, with here and there a beautiful and tastily cultivated parterre 

 of flowers, looks more like home, comfort, and happiness, and I doubt 

 not, in most cases, is really so. No farmer should be without his 

 fruitaoe, his vegetable warden, and his flowers. These will contribute 

 in many ways to his profit, health, comfort, and luxury. Will improve 

 and refine the taste of his family, will throw around home a charm 

 and a loveliness that will enhance greatly its present eujoyment, and 

 invest it with a thousand sacred memories that will sweeten many an 

 hour of reflective sadness when age comes on. It does not take the 

 time that most persons suppose. Besides, there are many hours in which 

 the boys in numerous households are idle, employed in lounging about 



