STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 411 



and unfavorable that I am waiting anxiously for spring to see the 

 results. No one can realize the loss of these little delicacies until 

 they have once had them in abundance. 



We have been feasting all winter on our stock of canned plums, 

 raspberries, currants, jams and jellies, and I would say for the benefit 

 of lovers of raspberry short-cake that it is quite as delicious made 

 of canned raspberries in dead of winter as in their prime season. 



Another point, farmers are too apt to be negligent in the care of 

 the grounds surrounding their buildings.' Now, of all places, I 

 think the farmer's home should be made comfortable and attractive. 

 I do not mean expensive buildings and adornments, but simply 

 comfortably well arranged buildings and neatly kept yards and 

 lawns. It does not take very long to get the yard seeded in blue 

 grass, and set out some evergreens, hard-maples, box elders, rock 

 elms and cottonwoods, promiscuously or in groups that will ren- 

 der your home beautiful and attractive. 



I have been so situated that I have not had much time to spend 

 in out-door flower culture, but I always have quite a collection of 

 greenhouse plants, and as early in spring as the weather will per- 

 mit, I take the storm sash and enclose the porch exposed to the 

 east, which is some 18 or 20 feet long, and arrange my plants there 

 for the summer. I train my vines over the weather-boarding and 

 hang from the ceiling a variety of baskets here and there. I ar- 

 range my pots on shelves and stands to the best advantage with 

 reference to light. After this is done they require very little 

 attention, further than to give them a refreshing shower bath every 

 morning with the sprinkler, and I must say I have never seen 

 handsomer plants in a greenhouse or elsewhere. Last summer I 

 had one geranium that had thirteen clusters on at one time. 



I hope I may not be considered presumptuous in offering the 

 above suggestions. I have seen so many country homes so per- 

 fectly barren of trees, fruits and flowers, that the cheerless aspect 

 made my very heart ache. I do not think we have more than 

 half fulfilled our mission here on earth unless we have tried to 

 make our paths those of pleasantness and our homes a haven of 

 rest. 



MRS. S. E. CURRYER. 



