218 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
abundance of fresh air and cheerful sunlight. Its recupera¬ 
tive and invigorative powers have been fully tested. 
It is not hard work, either mental or physical, that breaks 
one down, so much as long continued labor which taxes only 
one set of faculties. Calling into play some powers as anti¬ 
podal as possible, by varying the pursuits, will help to pre¬ 
serve life and health. Is not Floriculture useful here ? 
If any pursuits, more than others, tend to prolong a green 
old age, lovely and delightsome, those which bring the heart¬ 
beats in sympathy with, and the mind in near contemplation 
of nature's works, surely stand pre-eminent. Such is the ge¬ 
nial Ur. Darlington, the well known botanist of Pennsylvania; 
now almost four-score, the beloved of his friends, his heart as 
warmly enjoying his favorite studies and the communion of 
kindred spirits as when, years ago, his glad feet, elastic, bound¬ 
ed through the woods of his native Chester. 
The late David Thomas, of Cayuga Co., N. Y., will be re¬ 
membered by all lovers of Horticulture, as well as those inter¬ 
ested in the history of the State in which he lived, and where 
in early life he was a most [rigidly upright and able official 
in his public duties. Ilis last years were spent among the 
trees, ilowers and sciences he loved. Time’s burdens so light¬ 
ly pressed upon him that at 84 he was as much interested as 
-ever in his garden, and mentally and physically almost dis¬ 
owned the supremacy of age. 
But it seems partial to single out instances in proof of our 
assertion. There are many of the beautiful aged whose hearts 
renew their youth and loveliness with each vernal time. On 
such, life’s 
“ Latest and most leaden hours 
Fall with soft wings, stuck with soft flowers; 
And when life’s sweet fable ends, 
Soul and body part like friends; 
No quarrels, murmurs, no delay; 
A kiss—a sigh, and so away!” 
For woman, too, Floriculture gives what she needs, agreea¬ 
ble out-door exercise. Our ladies are so industrious that 
health alone is not sufficient inducement to draw them away 
