STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 107 



The ifriend then poiHted to the picture rare, 

 Hanging these years in all its beaut}' there; 

 "That painting fair an inspiration gives, 

 And this has influenced your dear boys' lives." 



Fathers, plant trees, and interest your boy 

 In a pursuit tbat will increase his joy. 

 Each fruit tree planted by his youthful hand 

 Binds him more firmly to his native land. 

 Fitting companion you will ever find 

 The thrifty fruit tree for the youthful mind, 

 And lessons true unconscious day by day 

 They ope to them in their impressive way — 

 While being trained to stand erect and strong 

 And pruned of errors that will lead them wrong, 

 Engrafted with the fruit we know is pure 

 That to the end sliall prosper and endure. 

 Such occupation to the young mind gives 

 A virtue that lasts ever while he lives. 

 And in the coming years will prove to be 

 A source of pride and noble legacy. 



Nations afar reach forth an eager hand 

 For choice production ot our sunny land; 

 And we shall find an ever open door 

 For all the surplus of our choicest store; 

 For England's fog we know can never vie 

 With the productions 'neath our sunny sky. 



Some years ago I saw the refining power 

 Exerted o'er the young by blooming flower. 

 I chanced while in a city's busy street, 

 A group of young and noisy girls to meet, 

 111 clad, uncouth, they proved themselves to be 

 Examples of a low humanity. 

 Gazing into their face you could not say. 

 You saw of virtue one redeeming ray. 

 At last they paused, by mutual consent. 

 And in low tones gave to their wonder vent. 



'Twas then I saw upon the sidewalk there 

 A lot of potted plants of beauty rare, 

 Exposed for sale amid the passing throng, 

 And shedding fragrance as they rushed along. 

 These children from the homes of want and care 

 Unconscious gazed upon the picture fair. 

 While on their faces clouded by unholy blight 

 There shone, it seemed to me, redeeming light, 

 As they beheld the silent beauties there 



