STATE P05I0L0GICAL SOi:iETY. 41 



What I have given jou I thiuk are likelv to withstand your Maine 

 Avuiters; your coverings of snow more than compensate for the lowuess 

 of the temperature, and all these plants to which I have called your 

 attention, unless we have made an exception, are plants which stand with 

 us practically without any signs of winter-killing. 



At the State Fait Meeting. 



PEOPLE AND HOMES. 



3Irs. Towle's object in preparing this lecture was to compare the 

 people and homes in other lands with those in the same sphere of exist- 

 ence in our own, also to stud}', somewhat, their social conditions and 

 broaden our knowledge of the human element if so we can while remain- 

 ing at home. We are invited to take a hasty trip around the world. To 

 Central America, South America, France, British Isles, Scandinavia, Ger- 

 many, Russia, Greece, Italy, Spain, the French colonies, Egypt and 

 India. She says finally that, tired of foreign lands and people, gladly 

 we turn our steps homeward, satisfied that "our first-best country is 

 ever at home." We have learned these facts : That in the United States 

 the average standard of living is higher than in any other country; that 

 our independence inspires ambition ; that, as Americans, we have much 

 to boast of, and, as Xew Englanders, much to be proud of. We have 

 learned that we have a variety of climates ; that we produce the vines 

 like France, fruit like Spain and all the products of the temperate zone. 



Others may choose as they like, but we shall select as a jDlace for a 

 home, the hills of New England, where we are neither scorched with 

 excessive heat, nor shivering from extreme cold, where we fear neither 

 cyclone nor blizzard and where friends are not only dear but near. 

 Strong civilizations have for their keynote and foundation-stone, homes 

 of the right sort; they are built upon truth. Such homes are found 

 scattered all over New England, on the hillsides and in the valleys, each 

 having its clean sweep of lawn, with leafy oaks, maples or venerable 

 elms casting their inviting shadows, telling of grace and charms in nature 

 which are dear to every home-loving soul. It has been said that we can- 

 not produce as much wheat or corn as Kansas and Nebraska, uor such 

 fruit as California, but we have raised men; men whose intelligence and 

 inventive genius have proved the farmer's best friends. These are not 

 accidental happenings. The first fine laws governing homes spring from 

 within, and are directed towards the needs and necessities of the times. 

 Our ancestors in the truthfulness of their lives, recognized these facts. 

 Here boys and girls in the past received their first impressions which 

 have made them a help and blessing in their generation. The.v were 

 given an inheritance of happiness which comes to those only who make 

 a correct use of life and its privileges. Upon the farm they are taught 



