WHO should have the flowers if not the chil-dren ? Who can better appreciate their subtle charms ? Upon whom can they have greater influence in the moulding of mind and character ? Who so near in nature as the children to the flowers ? None can love the flowers half so well as these, their human prototypes. Yet, the other day in New York, a boy with a great bunch of field daisies for sale was astounded beyond measure when a woman declined to purchase, with the remark that she lived where they grew in plenty. "Grew!" Then he forgot his desire to sell in his eagerness to know all about them and how they looked, and the fields of grass - all which the good lady told him as best she could, as the dirty little chap trotted along by her side on the pavement that was so different and far away from that dream of loveliness. If you want to study and touch human nature closely and easily, take a big bunch of flowers with you to town and give them away, one by one, to the children you meet on the street. Don't skip any, dirty or well-dressed. And don't be surprised if a rough looking man now and then asks for a flower when he sees you are giving them away.

Don't puff yourself up with a feeling of good deeds done ; you are only the medium of transit for the flowers sent by God to lighten dark and heavy lives. Be thankful for that, and leave the flowers to do their own work.

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GOOD FORTUNE sent wife and me to the sea-shore the last of April, so that we saw fair May in her robing of the wood and meadow in readiness for the summer time. Long, sharp hills of sandy soil flank the coast, and behind lie beautiful valleys. A varied flora covers the hills from crown to base, and everywhere are oak woods, parklike in their cleanliness, embellished with laurel, azalea, cornel, woodbine and honeysuckle; the meadows are covered with grasses, vines and flowers uncountable. Fences there are none, save here and there a bit to aid the landscape in their picturesque decay. Roads, cart tracks and foot-paths innumerable traverse field and wood in every direction, tempting to long walks amid sylvan delights in the long evenings after the day's work is done. Always loving nature, never before have we so appreciated her incomparable skill in gardening, or the countless lessons she may teach us in its every branch. Every natural park like this, near our large cities, should be set apart and let alone.

This one seems doomed to early destruction to make so-called " summer resorts," where mammon can be worshipped, and the healing of the great waters turned into fashionable gayety and trifling.

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NIGHT BEAUTIES are rarely appreciated - and rare they are, too! A drive in the early June freshness was continued an hour past sunset. While just beyond the shadow of Bar-tholdi's "Liberty," the improving (?) hand of the nature desecrator had not yet touched the quaint and ancient landmarks of a hilly seaside locality. As the twilight deepened, the shadows took on rich hues most restful to the eye, and a constant surprise. Then the flitting fireflies starred the woody nooks, giving a glint of life to the night landscape. And the odors ! A succession of faint bouquets reached the olfactories, all the more delightful because new, and utterly distinct from the day scents. In some way they seemed to fit the sweetness of the night, and the sense of perfect harmony was most grateful to the mind and body, tired with the day in the great city's heat and hum. It was a revelation of unknown beauties, a rest to the soul, a preparation unequaled for the refreshing sleep within taste of the sea air.

ENTERTAINMENT perennial is there for the possessor of the least knowledge of the flora of our grand country. With his eyes open he cannot be dull, he cannot feel ennui. Is his route on the iron highways ? He can see his tree-friends in changing conditions as he skims over the states ; he can notice the peculiarities of the weed-flora, giving here a white tinge to the scene, there a blue effect, anon flaunting scarlet or bright yellow. The relative sizes of the plants and trees, even, seem to form a natural boundary line between states sometimes !

Does he travel the dusty city streets ? Even there his entertainment need not fail, for the art of the florist will give him. comparisons with nature, and the gems of the tropics are ofttimes provided for his inspection. And on the quieter streets often a brave weed, clinging to the scanty soil between the bricks of the footway, will meet his eye, bringing him a pleasant memory of the broad fields where this same weed is not so welcome.

The March freeze has blasted all prospect of a fruit crop here. - J. L. Normand, Marksvile, Louisiana.

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The cold snap of March damaged the fruit interests badly throughout the South, as well as in the North.

The summer meeting of Missouri State Horticultural Society was held at Poplar Bluff from June 3d to 5th.

The Buffalo Florists' Club announces a show next fall (date not given), and offers an extensive and varied premium list.

Our next issue will be largely devoted to cacti. It will be a novel and interesting number. The leader will be from the pen of Professor W. J. Beal, upon "Some Relations of Botany to Horticulture." Apple and orchid issues are in preparation.

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The Market Florists' Association is a new organization in New York numbering some 500 members. The association aims to direct somewhat the marketing of flowers, and a permanent market in Union Square is desired. John Nicol, president; George Darsely, secretary.

Thomas Meehan, dear to every lover of gardens and plants, made his first contribution to horticultural literature and his first scientific endeavor just a half century ago. His life has been rich and versatile. Honors in civil affairs have been as great as those in bis intenser labors.

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The New York Italian street fruit-venders have organized into a society for mutual benefit and protection. It is said that there are over 4,000 of these street venders in New York City. The president of the new organization is Antonia Zucca, and the secretary is J. B. Roachi.

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The Michigan State Horticultural Society will hold another exhibition with the Detroit exposition this year. Its display last year was exceptionally good. A large premium list for American tropical and sub-tropical fruits is offered this year. The exhibition occurs from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5.

The New York Florist Club is preparing to give a great floral exhibition in November to fill the void left by the New York Horticultural Society. Friends of horticulture about the metropolis are invited to interest themselves in the project, and to subscribe to it. W. A. Manda, Short Hills, N. J., is chairman of the committee in charge.

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