(•[riticum milgarc. Naturai, Order: Gi-a»tinca: — Grass Family. 



1 



NSURPASSED in value, and of a beauty based upon its 



intrinsic merits, the Wheat plant is decidedly the most useful, 



widely dispersed, and most essential plant in cultivation. No 



other product forms so entirely the support of man, and none 



. other is more prolific in its yield under favorable circum- 



t stances. The growing grain is a pleasing sight from the 



time it first spreads its mantle of green over the fields till it stands in 



golden beauty, bending the stalks with their wealth, and culminates in 



a ripened and bountiful harvest. Wheat is supposed to have originated 



in Asia, on the high table lands of Thibet, where it still grows in its 



primitive state, an humble and grasslike plant, with very small seeds. 



Ceres is called the goddess of the harvest, and the mythological writers 



say that before her time the earth was rough, and covered with briers 



and unprofitable plants. 



" Ceres was she who first our furrows plough'd, 

 Who gave sweet fruits and easy food allow'd; 

 Ceres first tamed us with her gentle laws, 

 From her kind hand the world subsistence draws." 



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ABUNDANCE is a blessing to the wise 

 ^ ^ The use of riches in discretion lies; 



ICHES, like insects, while concealed they lie, 

 Wait but for wings, and in their seasons fly. 



—Pope. 



P XTOL not riches then, the toil of fools. 



Learn this, ye men of wealth - 

 In a fool's pocket is a heavy ( 



-a heav 



The wise man's cumbrance, if not snare, more 

 To slacken virtue, and abate her edge, [apt 



Than prompt her to do aught may merit praise. 



-Milton. 



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'T'HERE is no comfort but in outward showing 



In al! the servile homage paid to dross; 

 Better to heart and soul the silent knowing 

 Our little store has not been gained by loss. 



John Boyle O'Reilly. 



