Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-03-27
ADDITIONAL LOCAL.
CULTIVATION OF FLOWERS.

Essay Of Miss Sena Stephens. read az the High
school rhetoricals Friday evening
The cultivation of flowers unites itself
with all the good influences that enoble
and elevate the human race. 1t Co
operates with education, with moral cul-
ture. in expanding whatever is best and
purest in human nature. Through the
influence of flowers thousands upon
thousands are nourished and uplIfted to
a sense of a higher power. Flowers
have been cherished and loved for their
purity. fragrance and cheerful colors
from the earliest date. 1t is true plants
aud flowers remained in their natural or
wild state for many hundreds Of years
before man thought of them or made an
effort to improve them by cultivation
but today they may be found under cult
walton throughout the civilized world.
Our Great Creator had them planted in
all parts Of the earth for wise purpose,
but to the minds of some men It might
have been better and just as easy for
him to have planted fruit, grain, vege
tables or something else for mans bene-
tit. But he had his own plans, and does /
all things well and we ought to be thank
ful that we are permitted with his assist
ance to cultivate and improve our flow
ers. The cultivation Of flowers in our /
homes devolves upon the ladies. Scarce
" house where tasteful women dwell [
but show pots of beautiful rlants, win
dow gardens, vases or hanging baskets
trained gracefully. We have learned
that they can be cultivated in the homes
Of those who love them for their beauty
and fragrance, as well as in the green
houses and conseryatories of the wealthy.
Some people cultivate them for thercost-
liness, and the tribute they pay their
pride. wholly unconscious of their inno-
cent pleadings But such is not the way
with those who love them. A tiny slip
given by a friend has its associa-
tons, and we watch with interest for
the first tiny leaf to appear that assures
Us tiny rootlets are giving it strength.
Wonderful progress has been made in
the improvement Of flowers for in
stance. in the pansy. the original type
of which was the garden Violet. or
Johnnie Jumpup OF more than three
founhs Of century past, and still the
improvement is in progress. cannot
leave YOU without a word about our
plant beauties. but the varieties Of flow
ers are 50 numerous, that when / at
TEMPT to pick out favorites there are so
many and all so perfect that | am in
despair. There are Geraniums grown
for the beauty of their leaves that are
quite rivals Of the blooming sorts. The
LILY with the sunshine's gold, the Rose,
glowing with dew, the Morning Glories
that show their faces at the window. the
violet, which wskens by the song of
birds opens its blue eyes on the beauti-
full spring, the Iyey which clothes with
living green the ruins of the past, and
many others, all teach us lessons of faith
and trust in God Flowers are the poetry
Of nature, they flood our forests and fill
our homes with their beauty, all the
long summer, and when the leaves are
falling, they never fail TO bring Us cheer.
Flowers have mission upon earth.
If they cause sweet soul, kindly
nature to shine out, to bless and cheer.
10 amuse and help its fellow creatures,
their mission has been accomplished.
In All places then and in all seasons,
Ne behold their tender buds expand
Emolems Of our great resurrection,
Emhlems of the bright ami better lana
SRopTWILE