Horticulture and its Delights.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3936, 12 October 1891, Page 2

Horticulture and its Delights.

There are few pleasureajialf 80 [ cheap, wholesome and enjoyajw as tbt possession of a garden, combined with a love of horticulture. The man who , can boast a lavrn the size of a pocket handkerchief, intersected with half-a-dozen small beds, may, it is true beI come as boastful of the vegetable, , wonderß in his demesne as i£be owned { the daffodils of a Barr or tpt orchids of a Chamberlain. Be is some- , times rather apt to bore less enthu- ; siastic friends with the statnre of his , celery and the perfume of his roses. . At times he becomes wearisomely , prolix over soil, watering, blight cures, and other thrilling topics of the kind. , Yet, after all, it is better to hear a I man brag of the size of hii sunflowers than of his connections with noble J families, and rivalry over carnations and lilies is productive of sweeter results than most kinds of competion. The garden has immense social value as a topic of conversation in the country, where the restless beats of the waves of the great ocean of scandal thatengulphs London is heard btift ', faintly. Among the poor the gsr<fop exercises an important mission.' It's treasures reveal the loveliness of form . and colour, and who shall say that the rarest orchid outdoes the rose that the least opulent of ub may possess if we will? Fruit and vegetables are' profitable, but flowers have a influence fer refining and purifying. Every encouragement ought to be given to the gentle art of horticulture, and it is pleasing to observe how, with the ever growing love of flowera, the number of flower shows ia 'increasing, not onjy m'our larger towns, but aljo in the villages'. ' AIT anjusefyjgn'ts #$ bring the two classes into coniabt ßr * valuable. It is good for rich' and popr to meet together, and it is better till to allow both tq partjctaftte in the preparation of any popia].Jfjßftytioc t The village flower shoy isJMtft •* casion. The neighbouring wWftiwners send their beautiful foliage glanti} anq hothouse grapes, but" "thS cottage* feels that the kconly-conteited prifta for the best window plant is just «l important. The children learn to group the wild blossoms and grasses with surprising taste and skill, and proud is the small maiden who can claim the prize for the besfjfcposy. Plenty of prizes should bewared I tur om-iashioned fl°~— '. , • tvirmii. A prew - norejty would be a prise for-a posy consisting pf flowers men* tioned in the pages of a specified pock '•'■"' Another acceptable variation that is ... deservedly popular is the offer of a prize for the best kept garden within , ) a specified radius. The donor must, of necessity, drive or walk to the various competitors, but it is delightful to gee the untidy wi)de*»mes that have been converted into stpOing gardens in some neglected district by the generosity of squire ol landholder. The custom of sending cut flowers .'•: exhibited to the nearest hospital, or to one of the many missions that invoke the potent aid of these silent preachers, is an excellent one. and those whose bouquets have failed to satisfy the judges may at least hevs the assurance that their handiwork will givt delight to their fellow men lying on the bed of sickness, who have no part in the glorious pageant of sum- , , mor. To give is a luxury at any time, and may be indulged in easily at this season by those who labor at the •' cultivation of the fruits of the earth that they may reoeive them in due season,-—Nottingham Daily Express,