210 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



in lamentable failure, while in the great variety of influences of city life, the temp- 

 tations to drift into habits of luxurious living, maintainance of style, and other 

 social canker-worms, are far more prominent than in the quiet influences of the 

 country, where the handiwork of a Divine Creator constantly appeals to our 

 adminstration, and call out our reverence and love. 



Tried under the health aspect, surely every one who practices a habit of 

 obstruction will see the decided advantage the country has over the city in that 

 respect. Pure air, wholesome food, and out-of-door exercise in the development 

 of muscular energy, are sure promoters of health, while the calmness of mind 

 and spirit of contentment which generally characterizes the tiller of the soil, pre- 

 sents a strong contrast to the care-worn anxious mein of die business or profes. 

 sional man, who has to cater to the patronage of a capricious public, in order 

 to make ends meet and maintain his prestige in the particular line in which he 

 is engaged. If health and long life, and an easy contented mind are desirable 

 through life, surely the country takes the preference, as all will admit. 



Now as to the moral argument of our theme, a simple reference to it would 

 seem to be enough without presenting contrasts, but for the better illustration of 

 our claim we quote a line fraught with deep meaning, thus " God made the 

 country, but man made the town." Surely aimed the entrancing attractions of 

 nature, evidences of the work of a Divine Architect and proofs of His wisdom 

 and love to man, the soul that is at all delivered from self, and that runs out in 

 unison with what it is surrounded, cannot but be impressed with a spirit of 

 adoration and praise, while high and lofty aims and desires for a pure life will 

 be begotten and encouraged, in contrast with the sordid love of gain, and the 

 cunning craft which is ever found in the thoroughfares of business and profes- 

 sional life, to say nothing of the spirit of priestcraft and soul-slavery which so 

 largely abounds in city life. 



Think over these things, boys, count well the costs in all its aspects, before 

 you consent to change the life of the farm or garden for the busy mart of the city- 

 Apply yourselves to the study of enlightened agriculture, horticulture and flori- 

 culture, and you will have an unceasing range of interest to occupy your time 

 and attention and the so-called " drudgery," of the farm will have no place in 

 your estimate. L. Foote. 



Apple better than Orange Culture.— A neighbor who has gone to 

 Florida to raise oranges recently called on us while visiting his old home. See- 

 ing our apple trees with their load ot highly-colored fruit he said : " I tell you, 

 say what they may of the beauties of the orange groves, the truth is the orange 

 tree at its best is never more beautiful than the apple tree of New England. 

 The apple in bloom is far ahead of the orange, and when bending to the ground 

 with its load of ruby fruit it is ahead again. — New England Farmer, 



