236 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



neatness to the surroundings. Then, how it diverts the mind from trouble, 

 care and sorrow, to seek employment among their different farms, and de- 

 veloping and displaying our taste in their arrangement. In connection 

 with the flower garden, botany would be more interesting. Its study 

 exalts the affections, and teaches us to ' look through nature up to nature's 

 God.'" 



Mrs. S. Martha Malony writes from Albion, Noble county, Indiana: " We 

 moved to this State two years ago. I brought a variety of flower seeds 

 along with me. Our land was all new and unimproved. After we got a 

 spot cleared and a house up, and moved in, I took a survey, and the pros- 

 pect was not very flattering, as the stumps were so plentiful. My husband 

 said I had better give up raising flowers till he could dig out the stumps 

 and have time to assist me. But I told him I could not wait so long, for it 

 might be years. And every thing looks so wild and rude after land is first 

 cleared, I feared I would get homesick if I had not something beautiful to 

 look at. So I commenced and made my flower beds as best I could, and 

 planted shrubs and flowers around the stumps to hide them, so that by fall 

 things began to look quite home like, for the plot in front of the house was 

 all one glory of asters and petunias. And this year I have succeeded still 

 better, and have distributed a quantity of seeds among my friends. 



"Now if I am lucky enough to receive any of those flower seeds, I will 

 promise to cultivate them with care, and if I succeed, will distribute seeds 

 to others, as I have many friends that would be thankful to receive them." 



We commend the example of Mrs. Malony to every woman whose lot is 

 cast in a similar situation. She is certainly a good pattern for any Ameri- 

 can farmer's wife. ' 



Mrs. E. M. Voorhees, Lodi, Seneca county, N. Y., says: " My husband is 

 a farmer, with all he can do to till the soil for corn, wheat, potatoes, &c., 

 but I want to see and smell something more beautiful than these, and 

 though my hands are full of household cares, I feel sure I can spare some 

 minutes each day tending a few fluwers. Oui" children, too, will be made 

 happy by being so sweetly repaid for their labor in helping to tend them. 

 I wish you, and all who freely give flower seeds to those who are likely to 

 appreciate them, many good gifts from our kind Father in Heaven." 



Mrs. C. B. Allen, Johnson, Vt., says: " Four years ago I was married 

 and settled here among the hills, and for the loss of dear friends and 

 acquaintances which were left in a pleasant city in Massachusetts, flowers 

 were introduced in and about my dwelling. For the first two years I 

 engaged much in their culture and companionship. The third I was sick 

 in the fall and not able to save seeds, and therefore shall rejoice to receive 

 new ones. I love to weave about my country home garlands of flowers, 

 all the while growing and expanding. Are they not a fair type of the 

 human soul as it should be growing in grace and wisdom, ever showing 

 forth some new beauty ?" 



Mrs. Levina S. Leavitt, Meredith, N. 11., says: " It rejoices my heart that 

 there are some hearts large enough and good enough to nourish the beau- 

 ful flowers — God's own finn:er-work." 



