FLOWERS. 43 



weeds or single leaved tanzy. It is a noble plant. Its 

 gorgeous blossoms have rather an honest look. But 

 if planted the ruling consideration should be that it is 

 a flower, and not that its seeds are good for making oil or 

 feeding fowls. But there is the Morning-glory, the 

 Four-o'clock, the Lilac, the Poppy or the Marigold. 

 Begin with one or more of these. All of them are truly 

 elegant notwithstanding our long familiarity with them. 

 Begin with something that needs care and the children 

 will end with something worth admiring. A love 

 of flowers should be encouraged in the children. A 

 bit of land should be afforded them and perhaps a 

 premium offered them for the best cared for flower 

 border. In this way. as well as in the matter of good 

 books and papers may home be made attractive. And 

 when home becomes attractive a great end is gained. 

 Better for the boys to be cultivating flowers and 

 otherwise decorating home, than to seek for recre- 

 ation in the street or the saloon. We would like to 

 see every school-yard so furnished that both teacher 

 and pupils might have the means of cultivating and 

 enjoying flowers. And steps have just been taken in 

 Rhode Island to accomplish this result. 



Indeed, where are flowers out of place ? Our ceme- 

 teries are now embellished, not only with evergreens 

 and shrubs, but largely with flowering plants. All 

 these impart a freshness and bloom to the habitation 

 of the dead which rob the grave of much of its gloom, 

 and speak of a bright life beyond. 



" Bring flowers to crown the cup and lute, 



' Bring flowers, the bride is near ; 

 Bring flowers to soothe the captive's cell, 

 Brinir flowers to strew the bier." 



