A great aid in addition to his love of knowledge, his instinct of proprietorship,
and his desire for something to do, is to have a practical end in view. Some
children love best to have the flowers appreciated for home decoration ; some
that they may use or furnish them to decorate the church, some to supply
friends, some to sell. The same is true of fruits and vegetables. Study the
character of the child, and use those means for help and encouragement which
will best subserve that end. Enjoy the beauty and the fragrance if that will
prove the best stimulus; purchase of him radishes, melons or cauliflowers, as
you would of your grocer, if that will best keep him at the work. Let the
pickles, and the catsup, the canned strawberries and raspberries be the product
of his garden. We mistake, and dwarf the capabilities of many a young horti-
culturist by putting this subject wholly within the range of sentiment. Work
ofttimes grows in importance and interest if its proceeds help to gratify little
wants. The time will come, and soon, when we will not need to dwell so
strongly upon this matter of encouragement. When this form of labor has
become popularized, and it has become the fashion for every boy or girl to
cultivate a piece of ground, we may simply furnish information, and its appli-
cation will be readily made. As a hastening of this glad time, encourage
enthusiasm. The bursting bud, the opening blossom, the ripening fruit, are
each an inspiration. Its spirit stirs within the child; help him to a conscious
understanding of it.
THE FUTURE OF MICHIGAN AS A FRUIT GROWING STATE.
BY Lt) ON.
