THE FRUIT GARDEN. 29 



cheeks with the pure, healthful blood that is made from na- 

 ture's choicest gifts, and the exercise of gathering them, can 

 give her lover a kiss that will make him wish for another. 



The famous Dr. Hosack, of New York city, who attended 

 Alexander Hamilton after he received his fatal wound from 

 Burr, was an enthusiast on the subject of fruits. It was his 

 custom to terminate his spring course of lectures with a 

 strawberry festival. " I must let the class see," he said, 

 ^' that we are practical as well as theoretical. Linnaeus cured 

 his gout and protracted his life by eating strawberries." 



"They are a dear article," a friend remarked, " to gratify 

 the appetites of so many." 



"Yes, indeed," replied the doctor, "but from our pres- 

 ent mode of culture they will become cheap." 



It is hard to realize how scarce this fruit was sixty or sev- 

 enty years ago, but the prediction of the sagacious physi- 

 cian has been verified even beyond his imagination. Straw- 

 berries are raised almost as abundantly as potatoes, and for 

 a month or more can be eaten as a cheap and wholesome 

 food by all classes, even the poorest. By a proper selec- 

 tion of varieties we, in our home, feast upon them six weeks 

 together, and so might the majority of those whose happy 

 lot is cast in the country. The small area of a city yard 

 planted with a few choice kinds will often yield surprising 

 returns under sensible culture. 



If we cultivate these beautiful and delicious fruits we al- 

 ways have the power of giving pleasure to others, and he 's 

 a churl and she a pale reflection of Xantippe who does not 

 covet this power. The faces of our guests brighten as they 

 snuff from afar the delicate aroma. Our vines can furnish 

 gifts that our friends will ever welcome ; and by means of 

 their products we can pay a homage to genius that will be 

 far more grateful than commonplace compliments. I hav^ 



