THE FLORIST. 143 



which we could gather at the moment far superior to the general 

 bloom of the variety. So, again, I shewed him how some flowers, 

 gathered as they were expanding, and placed in water, and in a 

 room with a north aspect, were totally different from those on the 

 plants in the greenhouse or open air. The sum of our conference 

 was this : That it should be stated, when giving opinions on speci- 

 mens, what number of flowers were sent, with other particulars ; and 

 I hope this will be done in future, in The Florist at least. 



Superintendent. 



SCRIPTURAL USES OF FLORISTS' OBJECTS. 



The Enclosed Garden.* — A garden could scarcely be a garden 

 except it were enclosed : the marginal reading of the text is barred, 

 which gives us a meaning beyond simple enclosure. We not only 

 enclose our garden, but have a lock or a bar on its gates. There 

 are two reasons for this : our own pleasure, and the preservation of 

 the garden. We make our garden what it is by painstaking and 

 labour. It differs from the wood, the wilderness, the heath, or the 

 common field. We would not have a high-road running through 

 it, on which any one might walk ; and its flowers may not be 

 gathered like those of the hedgerow or the waste. 



I enclose my garden as a place of private pleasure and delight, 

 and for the enjoyment of invited guests. Were its walls broken 

 down, or its gate unbarred, I should be deemed " slothful," or " void 

 of understanding ;' the wild animal, or the rude foot of the stranger, 

 would tread down its beauty, or the nightly marauder carry away 

 its choicest treasures. 



The garden enclosed and barred, is, then, an apt simile for the 

 Church of God; they are a "peculiar people," and "not of this 

 world." " The Lord taketh pleasure in his people," and therefore 

 encloses them for his own delight ; " the Lord preserveth his saints," 

 and therefore encloses them for their own safety." " None is able 

 to pluck them out of his hands ;" the bars of his garden are too 

 strong. Florists ! remember, whilst taking such pains with your 

 garden, that God himself has a garden. He plants it, waters it, and 

 gathers its flowers. And Christ said, "Every plant that my hea- 

 venly Father hath not planted shall be plucked up." His plants are 

 all " pleasant plants." It is a fruitful and spicy garden, as well as 

 one filled with sweet flowers. God and his Christ have formed this 

 garden, and are bestowing infinite pains upon it. What a privileged 

 lot to be the least plant in this enclosed garden, so as to have some 

 " sweet savour of Christ!" In order to be there, we must be trans- 

 planted out of this world's wilderness, and know a Saviour's love 

 and care. 



The florist likes to have his garden attended to, and visited, 

 and admired, and walked in by one who is a judge of its beauties. 



* Cant. iv. 12-16 ; v. 1 ; vi. 2, 11 ; viii. 13: John xvii. 6, 16, &c. 



