54 VEGETABLES. 



and others are long and slender, not unlike a snake. The tomatoes 

 also differ much, not only in color but in form and size. The same 

 may be observed in all the other groups, but not perhaps to the 

 same extent as noticed in the above. 



The object of these exhibitions is not merely to gratify the eye, 

 and to get up a pretty show to look at and to admire, but to afford 

 an opportunity for all, especially the agricultural portion of the 

 community, to observe what has been accomplished by others, and 

 others be induced to go and do likewise, so far as it may be expe- 

 dient. 



No one can witness an exhibition of this character without re- 

 flecting upon the infinite variety of means which has been furnished 

 by a kind and beneficent Providence to administer to our wants and 

 comforts. 



The attention given to this culture is confined principally to a 

 few market gardeners in the immediate vicinity of the larger towns, 

 and to amateurs who devote only a portion of time which is snatch- 

 ed from other occupations. By this latter class it is considered as 

 an amusement or relaxation from more arduous duties, and at the 

 same time conducive to health. 



The farmer does not look with much favor upon this employment. 

 He considers that his attention must be given mainly to the culti- 

 vation of what he calls the standard crops, and that his time ought 

 not to be frittered away in looking after a kitchen garden and such 

 trivial pursuits. Little does he consider how much profit he can 

 make, how many luxuries and comforts he may contribute to his 

 family, how much he may improve the grounds about his dwelling, 

 not only to please the eye, but greatly to increase the parse— by 

 devoting a small portion of time and labor in converting the waste, 

 and perhaps worse than useless land about the homestead, long 

 encumbered with scattered logs of wood, old sleds, waggons, and 

 the like, into a garden where can be grown varieties of vegetables 

 and fruits ; also flowers and shrubbery — if these last should be 

 added, so much the better, as they will contribute much to the 

 charms of the rural home. If at any time the farmer's children 

 should migrate and seek a settlement in other places, the early as- 

 sociations clustering around the place of their birth will be the 

 more endeared, if connected with a rural retreat, sequestered in 



