
NEATNESS. 
BROOM. 
*T was that delightful ‘season, when the broom 
Full flowered, and visible on every steep, 
Along the copses runs in veins of gold. 
WORDSWORTH, 
WE presume that this plant has been made 
the emblem of neatness from the uses to which, 
in Europe, it is constantly applied. In our 
country villages, and throughout the provinces, 
it is known to every thrifty housewife as afford- 
ing besoms for sweeping, whence originated 
the name of “broom” for those domestic 
cleansers. 
There are many useful species of it. ‘“ The 
broom,’’ says Mr. Martyn, ‘converts the most 
barren spotintoan odoriferousgarden.” ‘ Words- 
worth notices it in the following natural and 
beautiful lines :— 
On me such beauty summer pours, 
That I am covered o’er with flowers ; 
And when the frost is in the sky, 
My branches are so fresh and gay, 
That you might look at me and say, 
This plant can never die, 


































