Increase of Flower and Fruit Culture. 19 



^ % 



many of its thrifty citizens would not have been content in Eden 

 until they had put its best land into onions and tobacco. Through the 

 superb scenery of Vermont there flows a river whose name, one might 

 think, would secure an unfailing tide from the eyes of the inhabitants. 

 The Alpine strawberry grows wild in all that region, but the Puritan 

 smacked his lips over another gift of nature and named the romantic 

 stream in its honor. To account for certain tastes or tendencies, mankind 

 must certainly have fallen a little way, or, if Mr. Darwin's view is correct, 

 and we are on a slight up-grade, a dreadful hitch and tendency to backslide 

 has been apparent at a certain point ever since the Hebrews sighed for 

 the "leeks and onions of Egypt." 



Of course, there is little hope for the rural soul that "loathes" the 

 light manna of small fruits. We must leave it to evolution for another 

 cycle or two. But, as already indicated, we believe that humanity in the 

 main has reached a point where its internal organs highly approve of the 

 delicious group of fruits that strayed out of Paradise, and have not yet 

 lost themselves among the "thorns and thistles." Indeed, modern skill 

 the alchemy of our age has wrought such wonders that Eden is possible 

 again to all who will take the trouble to form Eden-like tastes and 

 capacities. 



The number who are doing this is increasing every year. The large 

 demand for literature relating to out-of-door life, horticultural journals, 

 like the fruits of which they treat, flourishing in regions new and remote, 

 are proof of this. The business of supplying fruit-trees, plants, and even 

 flowers, is becoming a vast industry. I have been informed that one 

 enterprising firm annually spends thousands in advertising roses only. 



But, while we welcome the evidences that so many are ceasing to be 

 bucolic heathen, much observation has shown that the need of further 

 enlightenment is large indeed. It is depressing to think of the number oi 

 homes about which fruits are conspicuous only by their absence homes 

 of every class, from the laborer's cottage and pioneer's cabin to the 

 suburban palace. Living without books and pictures is only a little 

 worse than living in the country without fruits and flowers. We must 

 respect to some extent the old ascetics, who, in obedience to mistaken 

 ideas of duty, deprived themselves of the good things God provided, even 

 while we recognize the stupidity of such a course. Little children are 

 rarely so lacking in sense as to try to please their father by contempt- 

 uously turning away from his best gifts, or by treating them with 

 indifference. Why do millions live in the country, year after year, raising 

 weeds and brambles, or a few coarse vegetables, when the choicest fruits 



