The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1866-04-19
The Culture Of the Beautiful.
AN EoLIA GREY.


We are often surprised in our Journey
ing through the country, TO find so little
attention paid 70 the culture Of flowers
and ,sbrHbberry. q. In passing. over urge
prsiFes dotted here and there with BUILD
hi-s. welind. perhaps on, a nearerview, a
well-kept farm house, but yard and sar'-
den alike, lacking the tasteful adornments
that would add so much to, the beauty of
the scenery and render the air more gent
al and home-h<e. The protusion Of srtch
gifts shoNered by Divine Providence upon
our earth. proves that u cultivation of a
love for the sweetemblems of Innocence is
praiseworthy, and accords we'll with the
highest aims. With a keen
sense OF the beautiful in nature, the nath-
way in life will never seem dull and bar
rem, new objects of interests will continu-
ally present themselves, filling the mind
with pure aud ennobling pleasure. The
true lover of nature need never know Il
moments WEAKNESS, he finds enjoyment
mall her works; the tieecv clouds, the glo-
ry ola summer sunrise, the splendors of
starry night, the tiniest flower beneath his
feet, all speak language he well under
stand.
The culture N the beautiful lends a
charm to the humblest home; a trailing
honey suckle orclimbing rose bush will
transform the rude cabin to place of
beauty. We have seen an old dlapidated
dtse@liu3 SO empowered 10y the convolou-
dus vine and hedged in by. roseblssil,.s as
to appear like little eden, and COS ingou-i
1ly afew minutes of health giving care.
each day. Beneath a rooftree thus embcl-i
lished, Happiness and Health are ALMOST
sure TO dwell, the sweetest virtues of hui
maniig are fostereti and a refining influ-,
ence is felt by ali, even by 1.-The Stranger
within the gates" We have always been
Il del9ted aa mirer of the rose, and like the
hent hen idolater~with his wooden deity,
1ind use for it and draw com fort from it at
every turn III life, when wannderer in a
land OF strangers, 1t seems the dear voice
at ~ sz.A -,li-sey - i-.e-E., 81 %
home-lights and loyes awaiting ns. Its
pure buds form garland of beauty for the
bride; it is placed rs a last token Of afiec-
ton, in the coffin and about the resting
place OF the dead, Themost splendid va
risty of rose we have, met with was in
Grand river valley, Mo, where it grows
wild, tangling among the trees, clasping
with its tendrils every means of support
and forming the most exquisite wreaths Of
pink and crimson flowers.
We would be glad to see it transpIanted
to our own Des Moines valley. where it
would add Few charms TO our rugged
scenery. In this connection we will mem
tion an embellishments we saw in an adj
joining State also well adapted to this val
ley, and which could be made with little
expense There are great many plants
that succeed best when planted among
rocks, and show their beauties to greater
advantage: 'A"rockery" wouldbe gre,,l
addition to the scenery. and is easily made
by2piling up loose rocks and soil, bits q.
marble and shells-taking care to have the
foundation pretty solid to prevent settling.
Any flower that will thrive in rocky soil
viii suit for this purpose, and may be so
hrtistically arranged as to have avery time
effect. .'s..nr.. " '...- p a.gr-.