WHAT IS DIRT? 



I HAVE lately made an address before an agricultural society, with the 

 above title. As it proved quite interesting to a large concourse of ladies 

 and gentlemen, I have thought that a little talk upon a similar subject 

 would interest the readers of your new magazine; particularly the younger 

 portion, who have not yet mastered the scientific fact, that dirt is — dirt. 

 What else it is, or appears to be, let us consider. 



Here comes one of Flora's sweetest nymphs, holding in her hand one 

 of those "regulation bouquets," which more resembles a carved and painted 

 block than it does a collection of growing flowers. 



But we will not stop to dispute the artist's taste, who prefers such an 

 unnatural thing to a much more artistic, because more natural, bunch of 

 flowers. Our present talk is upon another theme. 



With what delight our little goddess Nymphalia exhibits to me her 

 prize! "So sweet, so pure, so beautiful!" she says. Yes, it is; and 

 thus should flowers always excite admiration. They do in all cultivated 

 minds. So, also, they should excite inquirj^ of whence they come. 



" Flowers ? " I replied to the little lady's admiration, as she laid them 



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