love and kindness carry the fragrant emblems of an Eden that was lost,
but may be regained even by those who have wandered farthest from its
beauty and purity. Men and women, with faces seemingly hardened and
grown rigid under the impress of vice, that but too correctly reveal
the coarse and brutal nature within, often become wistful and tender
over some simple flower or luscious fruit that recalls earlier and
happier days. These are gifts which offend no prejudices, and
inevitably suggest that which is good, sweet, wholesome and pure. For
a moment, at least, and perhaps forever, they may lead stained and
debased creatures to turn their faces heavenward. There are little
suffering children also in the hospitals; there are exiles from
country homes and country life in the city who have been swept down
not by evil but the dark tides of disaster, poverty, and disease, and
to such it is a privilege as well as a pleasure to send gifts that
will tend to revive hope and courage. That we may often avail
ourselves of these gracious opportunities of giving the equivalent of
a "cup of cold water," we should plant fruits and flowers in
abundance.

One of the sad features of our time is the tendency of young people to
leave their country homes. And too often one does not need to look far
for the reason. Life at the farm-house sinks into deep ruts, and
becomes weary plodding. There are too many "one-ideaed" farmers and
farms. It is corn, potatoes, wheat, butter, or milk. The staple
production absorbs all thought and everything else is neglected.
Nature demands that young people should have variety, and furnishes it
in abundance. The stolid farmer too often ignores nature and the
cravings of youth, and insists on the heavy monotonous work of his
specialty, early and late, the year around, and then wonders why in
his declining years there are no strong young hands to lighten his