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at first, with a little instruction, they will soon learn to care for 

 their garden ; it will be a very interesting lesson for them, and 

 the extra care will be repaid, to thus early teach them to plant 

 flowers along life's way. For the Floral Department is not a 

 mere fancy piece, to blossom for a few days and then wither ; 

 and thouffh much of the work that makes it so attractive can- 

 not be kept like those of the other departments, it is none 

 the less worthy its reward. Its mission is something more 

 than beauty. 



Way back in the early ages, before the homoeopathic or 

 allopathic doctrines existed, the flowers of the field furnished 

 the healing balm, and many a careful housewife of today has 

 her herb chest. It is not those known as wild flowers only 

 that are medicinal. The little, common marigold, if preserved, 

 would make a liniment of great value, while the uses of the 

 poppy and bay leaves are well known. And shall we say 

 nothing of the Queen of Flowers, who gives us such rich 

 ottoes? The memory of the preserved rose leaves of our 

 grandmothers will not let us remain silent. Had we time we 

 might tell of the many medicines, perfumes, and extracts 

 made from our blossoms and leaves. And " not for these 

 alone " do the little blossoms contain a passport which gives 



them entrance : 



In palace and in hovel, in science and iu art, 

 They speak of love and beauty, they cheer the lonely heart; 

 They work their missions given by their creator, God, 

 Who planted them in beauiy on many a velvet sod; 

 They never grow weary of the work they have to do. 

 But bnd and bloom, in beanty so faithful and so trne, 

 Aiul in the coming ages, as knowledge holdeth sway, 

 Will l)e added laurels to the flowers of today. 



Then roll, years, in thy swiftness, no hand can stay thy course, 

 Bearing us ever onward to that sublime resource, j 



Tliat addeth glory unto the shining stars above, 

 Our source of light and wisdom, our God of grace and love. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Miss ANNIE E. WILLIAMSON. 



Mrs. ABBIE E. WKIGHT, )■ Committer, 



G. H. WEATEEBBM, 



