THE CANADIAN IIOllTICULTURIST. 



three pound's lo a square rod, and about the same of salt, which pro- 

 duced the largest possible sized fruit and dark heavy foliage. He adds 

 that for potatoes tliis will be found to give the very best satisfaction, 

 producing a strong, rapid growth of vine, great productiveness, and 

 freedom from rot. 



JONAH'S GOURD. 



BY REV, VINCENT CLEMENTI, B.A., PETERBOROUGH. 



** Cfime up in a night, and perished in a night." — Jonah iv. 10. 



The Assyrian sun's perfervid heat 

 Upon the prophet's temples beat, 



And well nigh scorched his brain : 

 When lo ! at the Almighty's word 

 Forth sprang a most luxuriant gourd 



To ease him of his pain. 



But scarce had he enjoyed one day 

 Exemption from the solar ray, 



And rest and shelter found, 

 When some foul "woi'm" from earth-bound haunt 

 Approached, and ere next morn the plant 



Lay withered on the ground. 



So liave I seen some petted flower, 

 My garden's pride, at evening hour 



Uplift its gorgeous head ; 

 But " when the morning rose next day,'* 

 That flower — its glory passed away^- 



Lay worm- cut on its bed. 



And thus, too, when our hearts beat high \ 



When with too fond idolatry 



We cling to aught of earthly mould, — 



Wife, husband, children, rank or gold, — 



Forgetful that the Hand that gave 



•Can take away : — 'tis then we brave 



The wrath of Him whose treasury 



Has " worms" as well as "gourds" laid by 



To test His children's love. 

 The heart, elate at niglit, by morn 

 tjrief-struck, lies bleeding and forlorn, 



God's chastening hand to prove. 

 And if we read aright, we see 

 "The "uses of advei-sity " 



To waft our thoutjhts above* 



