220 Horticulture and Agriculture. 



close interest with each other. Agriculture proper means the im- 

 provement and cultivation of the soil, on the farm at large, in the 

 various kinds of crops grown, worthy of cultivation. Horticul- 

 ture may be called farming more refined ; that is, garden culture, 

 or the cultivation of all classes of vegetables, fruits, flowers, fruit 

 trees, &c. So that the farmer should not only learn to be a good 

 farmer or agriculturist, but he should also aspire to be a good 

 horticulturist by practice. When the two are combined together 

 with skill and practice, science, &c., the farmer then may stand at 

 the head of his profession. 



Few of us can or do have a just appreciation of what an im- 

 proved agriculture and horticulture will have on the community 

 at large in refinements and civilization. In fact, it is one of the 

 motive powers of progress towards refining and civilizing man, in 

 which all may partake and be benefited. The improvement of the 

 soil has a peculiar effect, or will have, on all who will engage in 

 its cultivation in the right spirit, to soften down the rough nature 

 of man, and make him a creature of patience, hope, and good 

 works. True, this may not be the case when the business is sim- 

 ply followed as a means to get a living and make money. But 

 when the mind and heart is engaged with the hand labor to carry 

 forward this business, then it is that the cultivator becomes a real 

 improver of himself and his race. For instance, whoever saw or 

 heard of an improved agriculture or horticulture growing up and 

 flourishing in a land of " Heathenism and Idolatry ?" No one. 

 What does this fact pi'ove then ? It says, in plain words, that 

 where the cultivation of the soil is neglected, from generation to 

 generation, that misrule, barbarism, and Heathenism will take the 

 place of civilization and the arts. This fact can be abundantly 

 proved by past ages, and, of course, the same rule and practice 

 would again bring about the same results in time. Again the 

 improvement of the soil brings with it all the various kinds of 

 rural embellishments of the day, which go to make up the liappi- 

 ness of civilized society. In fact, it would be difficult to name 

 any special improvements of the age which does not have its 

 foundation from this source as a starting point. If these points 

 are true, then should not all feel an interest in promoting these' 

 objects, which all are so intimately connected with ? Then, as we 

 have shown that not only farmers and gardeners are interested in 

 this development of the resources of the soil, but tlie whole com- 



