THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



understood by all ; and if what I say should enable anyone to grow- 

 bis or her flowers to greater perfection and in larger variety, and 

 induce those to grow a few flowers who never have done so before, I 

 shall be amply repaid. But most of all would I hope to confer a 



benefit on the invalid whom God in His 

 merciful visitation has deprived of the 

 pleasure of enjoying the possession of a 

 few plants, except in the sick room. To 

 the invalid more than anyone a flower is 

 the messenger of joy, soothing the pain 

 and loneliness of many a weary hour. 



There is a great variety of flowers 

 which can be grown to comparative per- 

 fection in a window, provided the window 

 has a southern exposure, more or less, so 

 that the plants may enjoy the benefit of 

 the sunshine ; and with the requisite 

 attention to keep them clean, free from vermin, and properly watered. 

 All this I will try to explain in a simple and practical manner. 



What a wonderful hold the floral beauties of nature have on the 

 human heart ! Go where you will in town or country, the love of 

 flowers is displayed on every hand. It holds sway in the city from 

 the button-hole bouquet to the great floral exhibitions ; from the 



struggling geranium in 

 the city alley to the 

 gorgeous display in the 

 parks and public gardens. 

 In the country it is a 

 poor cottage that has not 

 its flower-plot or window 

 plant. What a charming 

 sight it is to pass through 

 a country village where 

 the queenly rose, the car- 

 nation, the pansy, gera- 

 nium, fuchsia, and a host 

 of other favourites glad- 

 den the eyes with their 

 well-known beauties. The 

 general appearance of the 

 outside of a cottage home 

 may be always taken as 

 pretty sure evidence of 

 the character of its in- 

 mates. You can point 

 out at once where the 

 lover of flowers dwells. 

 Every lover of flowers has of necessity a large heart, capable of love 

 and sympathy for all mankind ; willing always to think the world very 

 beautiful, and God ever bountiful, who gives all men the breath of 

 life, so that they can enjoy the beautiful works of His hand, and 



