280 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



racks, that numerous ailments peculiar to their isolated condition 

 have practically disappeared from the list of human maladies. 

 Grapes alone are sufBcient to maintain life, and an exclusively grape 

 diet is now frequently prescribed as a cure for certain diseases. It 

 is well to remember that the more fruit grown and eaten the better 

 will be the health of the people, and it should be remembered also 

 that the fruits of our own climate are better for us than any other. 



In home adornment and in the cultivation of a love for the pure 

 and beautif ul,the influence of horticulture cannot be over-estimated. 

 The cultivation of trees, shrubs, vines, fruits and flowers is an elevat- 

 ing- occupation. It has its place in true home-making- everywhere. 

 Permit fancy to picture an ideal home, and the spacious house will 

 be in the midst of ample grounds carefully laid out; walks and 

 drives will be bordered by fragrant flowers; great trees will furnish 

 refreshing shade; there will be trellised bowers and rustic settees; 

 fruits of all kinds will be grown in abundance, and all nature will 

 be made to contribute to the comfort and pleasure of the place. 

 Without horticulture, all the wealth of the world cannot make such 

 a home. Even if we have given up expecting great things and have 

 made up our minds to be content with a small house and grounds, 

 we still wish a combination of trees, shrubs and flowers, knowing 

 that it will prove " a thing of beauty and a joy forever." 



We do not like to contemplate the slipshod home, with the wood- 

 pile in front, the fences out of repair and a forest of weeds where 

 flowers should gladden the hearts of the inmates, nor do we need to 

 be told of the influence of such surroundings upon the wife, sons 

 and daughters in such an unhomelike home. The picture of the 

 inside life usually corresponds with the outside view of the place 

 where people stay. It is much more pleasant to think of a neat, 

 tidy, pleasant home, beautifully surrounded by lawns ornamented 

 with trees, shrubs and flowers, where the spirit of improvement 

 permeates the whole home system. There refinement and intelli- 

 gence is sure to be found. Kverything will denote a better order of 

 things. The buildings will be painted, fences will be well kept, and 

 farm machinery will be put away in its proper place. This, in turn, 

 affects the whole community. If one family surrounds itself with a 

 neat lawn, flowers, shrubs and trees, others will follow their exam- 

 ple, and you will soon find great improvement throughout the whole 

 village or township, until, instead of one fine place, you will find 

 throughout a whole neighborhood many beautiful homes. 



While in substantial results fruit raising probably ranks first, the 

 cultivation of flowers is of great importance. Rural homes in Amer- 

 ica, as a rule, are better than those of other countries, largely be- 

 cause of the effort spent in beautifying them. Flowers give pleasure 

 both summer and winter and enable those who have them to enjoy 

 the luxury of giving. All are not able to make costl}^ presents, but 

 flowers are something any one can freely give or accept. Flowers 

 may be used to express the most delicate sentiments and have a 

 place upon all occasions, public or social. With them the home of 

 God is decorated, as well as our homes; with them the bride is 

 adorned and the mourner comforted; and when loved ones are laid 

 away to await the resurrection morn, with what love and tenderness 

 flowers are strewn upon their graves. 



