196 GARDENING AS AN AMUSEMENT. 



Again, a close investigation of the structure, 

 habits, and diseases of plants, will not only ena- 

 ble us to distinguish such as are suited to our 

 climate, but, being intimately connected with 

 agriculture, will teach us how to administer to 

 the well being of those we already cultivate, 

 and thereby improve them, as well as to sup- 

 ply, artificially, those advantages which they 

 possess, naturally, in their own countries. 



I have several times, I think, in my letters, 

 alluded to the usefulness of gardening, as an 

 amusement, in inculcating a love of industry, 

 order, and neatness : but I trust you will forgive 

 my repeating what I remember to have said 

 before, that I never wished to persuade you 

 that it is the most important of occupations. 



I could quote what many great, and, what is 

 more, many good men have said with respect 

 to gardening, as an amusement fitted for good 



