THERE is no employment which tends to the development of the better nature of men and women more than the culture of flowers. However humble the circumstances, the possession and culture of at least a few choice varieties, will make the home more tidy, and lend an air of refinement not to be attained in any other way. An English writer says: "To have a flower garden is to have many friends continually near. Indeed, who will say that flowers do not lend a companionship to those who faithfully care for them?"

There is perhaps no better index of refinement in a home than the presence of flowers. It is no doubt very difficult in large cities, where the yards are of small dimensions, to do much in the way of flower gardens, but even there a few varieties, planted in the back yard, can be made to furnish many a bouquet for the breakfast, dinner, or tea-table.

In the smaller cities and towns, and in the country, no excuse can be offered for the neglect of flowers.

Many plead want of time, but the excuse is not a good one, for but few minutes per day are required, and these few minutes furnish just such relaxation as every one needs to keep away the wrinkles, cares, and perplexities of regular employment; besides, the satisfaction and happiness gained in their care generally repay the possessor for all the attention they require.

Brief Hints On Sowing And Cultivating

In the outset do not make the common mistake of most new beginners, and undertake too many varieties at once, giving all the same treatment, for defeat will attend the effort.

A good plan is to procure a seed catalogue, like D. M. Ferry & Co.'s, of Detroit, and others, which will tell you what every flower is, its culture, and when to expect flowers. Select from the catalogue a dozen or more good varieties, and content yourself with their culture until you can secure good results, and then increase your stock.

The following hints will be of value in their care and culture: -

Selection Of Varieties

Success in flower culture depends quite largely upon a judicious selection of varieties. Every sort is, under certain conditions, attractive and desirable; but some of them, while exceedingly beautiful under favorable circumstances, will be most unsatisfactory and little better than weeds under others.

The Soil

Another great object to be considered is the soil into which flower seeds are to be sown. The soil best adapted to flowering plants generally, is a light, friable loam, containing a sufficient amount of sand to render it porous. A great many varieties will live in almost any kind of soil, except it be extremely dry, calcareous, or of a stiff, heavy character; still, to give them a fair chance for development, some little pains should be taken in adding to the soil, as much as possible, what may be wanting in it. Most flowers are better if produced on plants of most vigorous growth, so the greater portion of the garden should be prepared by deep digging, thorough pulverization, and liberal enriching with large quantities of well-rotted manure. On the other hand, some sorts do best on very poor soil, so a portion of the garden should be left without enriching at all. As the process of germination is shorter or longer in the different kinds of seeds, the patience of the cultivator is often sorely tried with seeds of a slowly germinating character; the patience of a devoted florist, however, is never exhausted in these manipulations, and the certainty of his final success repays him fully for the trouble.