MAKE THE POOR MAN HAPPY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1435, 13 September 1861, Page 5

MAKE THE POOR MAN HAPPY.

Horticulture is one of those beautiful sciences which give delight to the very tyio; eveiy step we proceed in it is complete in itself, and native is a kind and constant helpmate. If we accomplish but the growing of a cabbage there is an object achieved ; and, however limited our capacity, the science has among its thousands oE lessons, some which we can learn, if theie be but a patient teacher to set us our task ; and when we have accomplished it we have the tangible fruits of our labour before us. We may overrate our own talent/ but we cannot be deceived long. The painter may be told he is clever, and may be willing to believe in the propoition to his ignorance of right and wrong, but the hoi ticultuust cannot be persuaded that a bad cabbage is a good one. Dame Natuie may be fickle, but she is not so fickle as Dame Fortune , and the gaidener with his few lods of cottage garden is aa happy in the success of his outdoor ciopS as the punce in the superiority of his conseivatones and forcing houses. Not to run down other pursuits by an invidious comparison with horticulture, it must be conceded that however rational music and dancing may bbande — and the gieat Louden says these ought to be learned by gaideneis — they have their temptations which hoi ticultme has not ludustiy foims its very babe, and forethought is the first duty it engages Every operation is to provide for the future, and teaches us the necessity of calculating consequences. Every glowing crop brings its labour ; we cannot look upon it without being lemmded of what should be done — we cannot perform it without instantly obseiviug its advantageous effects. Emulation to rival our neighbours in the articles we grow engages our care and watchfulness, and if we succeed the rewaid is sweet Nor is om neighbour without consolation, for if we excel him in one pioduction, he is sure to excel us in another. We are right, then, in saying that a gaiden and the love of horticultuie confer happiness, and teach forethought — beget emulation— inculcate the knowledge of the value of industry — because they make even our lecreation productive. Look well, then, ye ownei3 of the soil, to the cottagers — give them gaidens, that they may be happy, and teach them enough of gardening to make them emulous. Give prices for the best productions, that they may be industrious and per severing. Be assuied that he who enjoys the labour in a garden as a relaxation from other labours, leahses the old saying, " that a change of woik. is a holiday ;" and if he work in the day, amidst the unwholsome vapours of a factory, his gaiden preserves his health and lengthens! his years. Oh ' that we could see eveiy adult enjoying his ten rods of ground, instead of his seat at the ale house, and his children's fust lesson of industry be given m the garden But this is impossible , yet how much could be done by the landholder, if he allotted a portion of the soil among the poor, at a modeiate rent, and encouraged them to cultivate it to advantage We do earnestly entreat our wealthy readeis — nay, wealthy or not — those readers who have but .m acre of ground to spaie, to make sixteen poor men happy, by letting them ten lods each, at 6d pei month. Nay, evei>body who has but an odd coiner of ground, that is not wanted for his use or ornament, should devote it foi that purpose , foi every man that can be served with enough land to foim a garden, is made a better man and the father of a better family. - J/}\ Glenny tn Lloyd's Wedhj.