On the Culture of Azaleas. 123 



orate disposition and character. The study of nature in all 

 her various phases and phenomena, whether it is pursued in 

 the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdoms, is a source of 

 never-ending delight ; it enlightens our intellect, expands our 

 ideas, and elevates our sentiments. Dispelling that almost 

 impenetrable mist of self-sufficiency that hangs before our 

 eyes, it teaches us to look from " nature up to nature's God," 

 enables us to appreciate the bountiful goodness, and form true 

 conceptions, of an all-wise Creator. To experience these sen- 

 sations in the cultivation of flowers, it is not necessary to be 

 possessed of extensive gardens, or expensive collections of 

 plants ; neither is it indispensably requisite that we should 

 possess the learning of a physiologist, or the discriminating 

 knowledge of a botanist ; a person may know but little of 

 these sciences, and yet derive much refined enjoyment from 

 a greenhouse. Neither will extent of operation or multiplicity 

 of objects, in themselves, constitute a source of pleasure. 

 These perceptions of delight are more likely to be realized by 

 the concentration of skill upon a few judiciously selected 

 plants, maintained in the highest state of cultivation and gen- 

 eral neatness, than in the possession of an extensive collec- 

 tion, no individual of which, unless by chance or accident, 

 ever reaches even to mediocrity. 



It is all-important, therefore, that the plants selected for 

 extra care should be worthy of it ; the principal criterion of 

 excellence being abundance of magnificent flowers, enhanced 

 in value when produced upon plants possessing other desira- 

 ble properties, such as fine foliage, flowers remaining long in 

 perfection, hardiness of constitution, and simplicity of culture. 

 Not that all others should be utterly discarded, even from 

 hmited collections, as many possess high botanical and histor- 

 ical interest, and some few are worthy a place for their beauty 

 of foliage alone. Flowers, however, are the principal attrac- 

 tion, and few there are who can contemplate their beautiful 

 forms, without joining in the aspiration of the poet : — 



" Blessed be God for flowers, 



For the bright, gentle, holy thoughts that breathe 

 From out their odorous beauty, like a wreath 

 Of sunshine on life's hours." 



