I08 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 



has ceased blossoming another may be there ready to blossom 

 with the other shrubs for a background, a part of a beautiful 

 bouquet. We all want the lilac, particularly because that pleases 

 the children. You perhaps may think tonight that I shall refer 

 a good deal to the children, but having been associated with 

 them over twenty years in the schoolrooms, and having one of 

 my own, you will pardon me, T know. If you have no children 

 of your own, you will find plenty of other children that will be 

 glad of your lilac bush. It is a perpetual pleasure to children 

 while it lasts. 



After the lilac comes the bush honeysuckle, then we get the 

 spirea, the snowballs, and what we must have, — roses. Lately 

 there is a shrub come into quite general use all over our State 

 and that is the hydrangea. It hardly seems possible that in 

 1874 it was introduced into our country from Japan. It is now 

 planted to such an extent that we find it nearly everywhere. I, 

 perhaps, am not as fond of it as I am of a great many shrubs, 

 because I like the good, old-fashioned posies myself and I like 

 those that have an odor. 



I am going to take you now for a few moments into my flower 

 garden. In the first place, if it is possible, plant your flower 

 garden where the most people can get the good of it. For years 

 I was selfish and had my flower garden out back of the house 

 because it was easier for me to get at it there, but afterwards I 

 moved it right down across the road and I have been astonished 

 to see the people that have stopped to get the good of my flower 

 garden, and oftentimes people to whom I could give flowers that 

 would not have had them in any other way. So if it is possible 

 for you, put your flowers where they will do the most good. 



If I could have but one flower, it should be the sweetpea. 

 You perhaps will not all agree with me. I don't expect you to. 

 But there are several reasons why I would plant sweetpeas. 

 First, because they are very easy to cultivate. If you plant 

 enough of them and plant them in different places each year you 

 won't be troubled much. I had this last year over fifteen rods 

 of sweetpeas and it was a great pleasure to me to pick them in 

 big bunches — and I want them in big bunches — to give to my 

 friends ; and it was a pleasure to me to pick them in big bunches 

 and take into my own home, that when I opened a door they 

 would send out a welcome to me. 



