RURAL ADORNMENT AND BEAUTIFYING

HOMES.

BY THE HON. A. S. DYCKMAN.

To promote his physical and moral welfare, bring gracious blessings on his head, kindle the light of love upon his hearthstone, give him true respectability, and make the strong brown hand of labor outshine the lily that languishes in gloves and idleness, the farmer must decorate his home with trees and flowers, and not neglect the amenities of life in the cultivation of his acres.

This necessity, although not primary to human existence, is nevertheless fundamental in higher civilization.

He, the labor of whose thoughts is for subsistence only, must be content with his small share of the beatitudes of life, and plod his weary way in oblivion of the wondrous beauties attendant upon every step in the green earth: flowers that lift their bright coronals in mute authority of loveliness; vegetation displaying its myriad forms of grace; the insect populace filling the world with fluttering life; birds that pour their loveborn raptures into song, and the over-bending heavens, out of mysterious depths, revealing all the delicate pencilings of light and shadow that make up the universal picture of life.

But he who studies to discern the secret springs whence nature pours her copious benefactions, cannot fail to see how, under the hand of the Great Architect, beauty is inwoven in every design, and his heart must swell with reverent admira

tion at the thought everywhere presented, that the hand of Divine labor is skilled in the infinite perfection of arts, and is only satisfied with the last line and tint of possible decoration in alliance with uses.

These studies are man's birthright, and enjoin a sacred duty, by diligent attention, to deserve and enjoy them. And the devotee is rewarded in the very exercise of helping these beauties in their efforts to illustrate the divine perfection in the cathedral of nature. The living drapery of green, the floral gems, and aisles of light cast their sweet impressions within the heart, dispelling the shadows, and filling with a purer inspiration.

Who, knowing and feeling this, would turn away to taste the poison of sin, or seek for pleasure along the treacherous path of dissipation?

Let us glance at the department of flowers.

Whether we run to meet them in the wild wood, sit in their dear society under the shades of home, or meet them in the city's crowded mart, at the altar of divine worship, or the shrine of departed friends, in their various language is still repeated the great thought of the poet, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

Whether draping some festive hall in graceful festoons and pendant wreaths, or grouped into forms of christian heraldry; whether decking the patriot's grave, or garlanding the brow of beauty, the influence of flowers is elevating, refining, and ennobling.

He certainly should not be burned as a heretic, who believes in that transmigration by which the spirit of flowers may animate the soul of man with radiance of immortal beauty.

Every farm house should have flowers, with every mother a florist, and every fair daughter a happy student of grace in nature. Every father should be a patron of home, and every son feel its attractions stronger than the wiles of idle pleasure. Many such homes, to the glory of Michigan, bright centers

of influence, are laying deep the foundations of our hope in Christian liberty: for the State must rest upon these.

Mark how this influence will extend in a community-for we copy what most we advise.

Then what more desirable thing than to have young ladies and gentlemen educated in a school that shall qualify them to take this high position in life,-and what better place for such discipline and instruction than the Agricultural College?

But ornamental tree planting greatly deserves attention. How often, and with what pleasure, do we revert to our childhood days in recollection of the trees that annually spread their bright banners of bloom to herald the summer, and against the fiery rays of that summer, hung, just above our happy heads, their million shields of green; and in the golden autumn, upon the mosiac of rustling leaves, dropped their fruit treasures at our feet.

Their broad branches reaching to Heaven, or bending gracefully to earth, great trunks bearing all their wealth of top defiantly against the whirlwind and the storm, and their fine spray, presenting delicate wave-lines to the breeze, as if repeating the deep mysteries of the ocean: these come flooding the memory, until the present, with its cares and disappointed hopes, is drowned in a sea of delight.

The God that has given us capacities and opportunities for this enjoyment, has also enjoined the duty to transmit even a fairer heritage to our children.

In many cases it is impossible, in clearing away immense forests, to save trees from the all-devouring flames. But in any case, shall, we be satisfied with a bleak and treeless landscape?

Shall not the wild trees of such various form and flower and foliage, that gave to the Michigan of forty years ago a beauty no art may ever restore, at least be perpetuated along every wayside to break the force of driving winter storms?— storms that sweep the protecting snow from fields of grain and

grass and orchard, and come with fearful penetration to shivering flocks and herds.

It has been proposed to institute an annual tree-planting festival.

This might be easily done by concert of action among farmers through their associations, and the governor of the State might help its general observance by proclamation appointing the day.

That there is a growing love for rural decoration there can be no doubt.

Economy in expenditures, already a necessity, is in the direction of an educated taste, whereby proprietors may superintend their own improvements, and in such manner that all patching and replanting may be avoided.

To this end may not the Agricultural College properly devote a share of attention? This question is answered by the provision for a new greenhouse and other improvements upon the college grounds.

If a separate place could be devoted to native plants, grown in something like their wild condition, showing the attractions of an original Michigan landscape, historical as well as beautiful, would it not be an unique, valuable, and interesting public park? Would it not be one of the finest collections in the country, valuable to the student in botany, and creditable to the college?

THE DAIRY.

MAKING, CURING, AND MARKETING CHEESE.

ADDRESS OF X. A. WILLARD AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MICHIGAN DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION AT

ADRIAN, FEBRUARY 13, 1873.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a gratification to me to be present at a convention of Michigan dairymen. I have high respect for the people of this State, among whom I esteem it an honor to have many warm and steadfast friends. I think you have done well to organize a State dairymen's association in Michigan. It means progress and improvement in a specialty which, of late years, has made rapid advance towards perfection. These associations have become distinguished as among the remarkable educators of modern times. The history of organizations for the discussion of topics relating to the dairy, goes back no farther than January 6, 1864. The first convention, occurring at Rome, N. Y., was most remarkable in its results. The call was made by about forty leading cheese manufacturers and dairymen, among whom Jesse Williams, the originator of the factory system, was prominent. There was an immense gathering, crowding the largest hall in the place, and people in all parts of the State were anxious to get newspapers reporting the meeting. Since that time there has been a large number of dairy organizations formed, State and local, and the knowl