1880.] TRANSACTIONS. 37 



liomes let ns not be surprised to find that the yonng men and 

 maidens will continue to go away. The sons of such farmers are 

 rushing to the cities, glad to get away from the work-work-work 

 and drudgery of the farm. 



The farmers around such a city as this are the proper class to 

 take the lead in the knowledge and practice of Horticulture ; in 

 the making of homes beautiful and valuable ; something to love 

 and be proud of; and it is gratifying to see that many are doing 

 this. Every farmer should, in connection with the other uses 

 and productions of his lands, devote a liberal portion of his time 

 to orchards, gardens, small fruits, plants and flowers. And 

 farmers who will spend a portion of their time in this way will 

 never have cause to regret it. They will find their example fol- 

 lowed by scores of others, thereby raising the standard of refine- 

 ment in their own neighborhood, while in a pecuniary view the 

 investment will pay three-fold in increased health, wealth and 

 pleasure. Their children, too, will many more of them cheer- 

 fully remain at home to join in such, no longer irksome, labor; 

 while their shiftless or stingy neighbors' children will be likely 

 to show themselves at the old homestead only at the annual 

 Thanksgiving, or, perhaps, from a sense of duty as well as relief, 

 " to attend the old man's funeral." 



Every farm should have an orchard, garden, vineyard and 

 small-fruit plantation, for luxuries and health as well as profit. 

 There is naturally implanted in every human breast, when not 

 extinguished by the cold, selfish reasoning of the world, an ad- 

 miration and love for the good and beautiful, M'hich, properly 

 improved and cultivated, seeks and finds exquisite pleasure in all 

 that is exalting in the works of Creative Power. An example of 

 this we have in the life and character of the late John Milton 

 Earle, who for so many years devoted so much of his time and 

 thought to the interests of this Society. How much we are in- 

 debted to him for the benefits we have derived from his accom- 

 plished mind, his unwearied industry and elevated character. 

 His services will be long and gratefully remembered. May the 

 reflection of his genial face from yonder painting long continue 

 to shine upon us as an inspiration and a benediction. 



The adornment of our homes has a moral influence. The love 

 of the beautiful never becomes extinct in the human soul. It 

 may be crushed by selfishness and avarice, blurred and stained 

 by sin and crime ; but deep in every heart the latent spark re- 

 mains, and needs but some purifying influence to bring it into 

 healthy action. Even the convicts in our prisons, it is said, 

 rejoice to get at the sight of flowers — sweet flowers ; 

 6 



