Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-11-13
The Praise Of Gardens.

WE associate gardens and orchards with
the perfect condition of mankind. Gar
deners ourselves by birthright, we always
mythologize and plant our Edens in the
East of US, like our ancestors the sacred
ness of earth and heaven still clinging to
the tiller of the ground. Him we esteem
the pattern man, the most favored of any.
His labors have charming innocency.
They yield the grains of selfrespeet
denied to other callings. His is an occu-
patton friendly to every virtue the freest
of any from covetousness and debasing
cares. 1t is full of honest profits, manly
labors, and brings and administers all ne
cessaries; gives the largest leisure for
study and recreation, while it answers
most tenderly the hospitalities of friend
ship and the claims at home. The delight
of children, the pastime of woman, the
privilege of the poor man, as it is the or
nament of the gentleman, the praise of
the scholar, the security of the citizen, it
places man in the truest relations to the
world in which he lives. And he who is
insensible to these pleasures must lack
some chord in the harp of humanity, wor-
Shipping, if he worships, at some strange
shrine.
THE PLEASURES OF LABOR.
l know not how it is with others, to
me the Syringe invitations are irresistible.
may be scholarly inclined, and my tasks
indoors delightful, yet my garden claims
me, monopolizing all my morning hours,
and know for me has come the seasons
summons which shall not set aside no,
not for studies nor .hospitalities which be-
come rivals for my time and attentions.
My garden waits; is the civiler host, the
better entertainer. Then / have a religion
in this business, and duties must waive
compliments. My tasks are not postpon,
able during the summer days; if called
away from these engagements, shall first
take counsel of my plants for leave of alb
sence, with intent of Fastening back
opportunities were impertinent while the
| spell is on me. Would the sun shine all
night long for my work to continue Sure
of gathering the better crop, bend to
J my task, foreseeing the avails of leisure
coming in at the close of my autumn
| rounds.
Me, let my poverty to ease resign,
When my bright heart reflects its blazing cheer
In season let me plant the plant vine,
| And, with light hand, my swelling apples rear.
| Such tolls are wholesome. One cannot
afford to dispense with their income o.
vigor. Then they fill the days with varied
business, the mind gliding from head Il
hands, and from hands to head, in pleasing
intorludes, to pour for him so deep
draught of Lethe, and so refreshing tha
the morning breaks only to release the
| sleeper to begin anew his labors with the
old enthusiasm. Even the stiffness of his
fatigues promotes rectitude and purity o.
carriage his hearty affection for his pur
suit shedding lustre on all he takes in
hand. His garden is ever charming
| always opportune. He walks there at al
hours, at sunrise, noon, nightfal, finding
more than he sought in it, each successive
visit being as new as the first
THE DIGNITY OF THE GARDENER.
His is no mere cloud tillage, nor unpro
ductive earth culture. The firmament
overhead reflects its lustre in its mind, the
lnists ascend there from the watered
ground beneath, and he sows the mingled
sense and sunshine over his rich fields,
enriching both them and himself He
takes account of the double harvest of pro-
fits, both rewarding him for his pleasures
and painstakings. He is faithful coun.
selor and genial moralist the ground holds
strict terms with him; nor weeds nor net.
ties have tales to tell, since they cannot
thrive under his shadow. He minds his
proper affairs, is industrious, punctual
homekeeper and timekeeper no less taking
his tasks diligently as they rise. His
work begins with the spring, and con-
tinues till winter, nor has he many spare
minutes; the slipping away of twelve
hours being the loss of a twelve
month, unless he do that instantly which
ought to be done at the moment
Taking timely counsel of his experience,
he adapts his labors to the seasons as they
pass has his eye on soil and sun at once.
Nor shall think the less Of his piety, il
he be touched little with that amiable
superstition concerning the planetary in
fiuences; since it i'll becomes him to hold
lightly any faith that serves to brighten
his affections and establish sweet relation
ships between himself and natural things.
In sympathy with earth and heaven, these
conspire for his benefit all helping 10
fructity and ripen his crops. IL Is unlaW'
ful TO regard them as enemies OF human
tillage. Gracefully the seasons come round
for weaving into his fancy, II not his faith,
the Old Worlds ritual as religion OF en-.
caaements. He Is an ephemeris and
weather glass He has his signs, too, and
aspects, his seasons, periods and stints
The months sway him. What If be sym
pathizes with the year as II rolls; take
equinoetially his March and September
| Win his intermediate times be less genial
In consequence, or his April fail Of distil
ling mystic moods with her tertilizing
rainsg His winter may come hoar will
ideas, and brown October shall be his gol
den age of orchards and their ambrosia
And as June best displays the gardens
! freshness, 50 October celebrates the or