42 



xa FLOWERS, 



as fine a vein of enjoyment in nuns nature as in 

 woman's, and in the farmer's as in any man's. There- 

 fore he should have and enjoy his flower-beds. Let the 

 green-house be added if he chooses; but the flowers 

 that do not need its shelter should never be excluded 

 from the farmer's home. The Asters and Dahlias and 

 most of the Lilies, the Crocus, Tulip and Hyacinth, the 

 Primrose and Polyanthus, the Hoses and Pinks of 

 countless varieties, the Chrysanthemums and Gladi- 

 oluses, Phloxes and Gilliflowers, are but a few of the 

 long list that can be successfully cultivated without the 

 green-house, and such as require no care in winter 

 beyond the saving of seed or the storing of bulbs just 

 out of the way of the frost. 



It is true that every farmer does raise flowers in a 

 certain direction without making it a speciality. The 

 productions of the orchard, the vineyard, and the field, 

 originate in flowers — bright, fragrant, beautiful flowers. 

 For a little season the potato patch becomes a vast 

 flower garden, each blossom perfect and beautiful. So 

 in its turn does the garden of pease and beans. And 

 what in the flower line is more grand and magnificent 

 than the blossoming fruit orchard! As the little child 

 has it, " It is God's great bouquet." But all these 

 things are useful and therefore are cultivated. But we 

 would have the idea of utility ignored in this matter, 

 and would recommend to every farmer who has not 

 already begun, to begin at once the cultivation of 

 flowers for their own sake. Better raise but one or 

 two varieties than none at all ; for no one can raise a 

 flowering plant of the commonest kind without soon 

 extending his culture to others more attractive. The 

 Sunflower would do better by the door than uncomely 



