STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 47 



one reraeinber next time? If each one present will destroy this weed 

 in his own jL^arden there will be less of the seed ripen to be sown in 

 those of our neighbors. 



Another weed which grows so large as to cast a dark shadow on 

 some lives is gloominess. If any one when despondent or, as the 

 saying is. when he has the "■blues", will count up his blessings, he will 

 find tliat they far out-number his troubles. Many of our blessings 

 we never think of till we are deprived of them, while we are very 

 likely to magnify our troubles. Did jou ever know a person with 

 whom you would exchange places and lives? Mr. A maj' have more 

 money than 30U, or Mr. B ma}' have some office which you have long 

 wanted. Learn all you can of the daily life, cares and worries of 

 both and you will feel satisfied that you do not care to exchange 

 places with either if you must live his life and do his work. Ever}' 

 burden is fitted to the shoulders that must bear it. Let us learn to 

 make our own as light as possible by looking on the bright side of 

 life. 



Two varieties of the live-forever family which all recognize as 

 weeds, although nearly every one finds one in his own garden, are 

 known by the names profanity and slang. All of us know that an 

 oath or a slang expression weakens our speech and injures us in 

 many ways, yet there are few of us who have destroj'ed the weed. 

 It was planted in many of the gardens by our fathers and mothers, 

 but I hope none of us are planting the same for those who come after 

 us. Daih'. yes, hourly, will be the struggle if this family of plants 

 is eradicated from our midst, but how much more beautiful will be 

 the gardens of our lives if we succeed. 



How many of us, sisters, are careful to be as neat in our personal 

 appearance, in the care of our houses, in setting our tables for our 

 own families as for guests? How man}' of us speak as pleasantly to 

 members of our own household as to those who are strangers to us? 

 How many of you, brothers, clean your feet as carefully when enter- 

 ing your own kitchen as when you go into a neighbor's? How many 

 of you ever thank your wives and daughters for the favors for which 

 you are so grateful from a stranger? Is not true politeness at home a 

 plant which should be carefully tended while we root out all sliams 

 which make us urge a visitor to come again soon and when she is 

 hardly out of hearing remark, "O how tiresome she is !" Which make 

 us a scold at home and a gentleman or a lady away? Let us remem- 



