It was in the spring of the year - that beautiful season so much lauded by poets- that I took possession of my country home. Being anxious to commence operations early, and lured by a warm day or two in March, I hastened to my farm, fearing that I had already lingered in the city too long, and that the season was too far advanced to permit me to make all my proposed improvements. The Robins and Blue-birds had preceded us, and with their beautiful music gave us a joyful welcome to our new home, and a pleasant introduction to country life. But the pleasure was all in anticipation, for on the following morning winter seemed to have commenced again in earnest Storm succeeded storm. Snow, cold winds, rain, and mud, not only rendered out-door labor difficult, but for me impossible. I suppose there are some folks so poetical that they can see beauty in every thing, and this I suppose is what is meant by " Winter lingering in the lap of spring".

Unfortunately I am no poet, and I can see no beauty in a snow storm in April, or in mud to the tops of one's boots. I was illy prepared for such a depth of soil, and when I ventured out made rather a singular appearance, generally returning with one overshoe in my hand - that is, if I had the good luck to find it and dig it up. One of my young hopefuls remarked that father walked through the mud just like a cat Not a very flattering, but perhaps a truthful remark.

Not being able at present to do anything myself, and really having my ideas of my ability to make myself useful on a farm somewhat lowered, I thought I would secure the help I needed. And here arose a somewhat difficult question. Did I need a Landscape Gardener and Garden Architect, such as I noticed had advertised their services; or did I want a common Gardener, or a Farmer? Not being able to decide these questions satisfactorily, I merely advertised for a person to take charge of my place, giving a description, etc. This advertisement brought me several letters, as well as some personal applications.

John Roseberry, the first applicant, was an Englishman - at least, so he said, though I rather think by his speech he wasn't a native. According to his own story he had superintended some of the most beautiful and extensive establishments in Europe. He had been engaged in the Kew gardens, and had done much to give them their celebrity. Louis Phillippe had despatched a special messenger for him, to consult with him as to the arrangement of the gardens of the Tuilleries. He had given the finishing touches to Chatsworth; and, in short, no work of importance had been undertaken for the last ten years unless his advice and counsel had been first sought He had come to this country only to see the vegetation of North America, and thereby increase his knowledge; but concluded on the whole to take charge of a place, if he could get one worthy of his attention. I really began to be alarmed at the great loss the country must have suffered from his departure. He knew the name and nature of every plant and shrub.

Indeed, it was strange "That one small head could carry all he knew".

Being doubtful of my ability to command so much genius and knowledge to decorate my humble home, I decided to give Mr. Roseberry an answer in one week, when, if his talents had not secured him a more advantageous position, I might endeavor to make a bargain with him.

The next applicant was Thos. Hawthorn. He too was from across the water; and I learned, on informing him of the previous application of Mr. Roseberry, that they had both worked at the same place. Hawthorn smiled when I told him of the abilities of Roseberry, and informed me that he was only employed by the gardener to keep the grass and weeds from the gravel walks, and to assist in mowing and sweeping the lawn, which he did so poorly that he was dismissed. Still, this statement may have been caused by professional jealousy. Mr. Hawthorn urged his claims quite zeal-ously, and stated that in making gravel walks he had no superior. Before leaving home, his reputation had become almost national. He was overrun with orders for walks for gentlemen's grounds, and had to escape to gain rest, or he would have fallen a victim to his abilities in this line. No one in this country understood the principle. I afterwards learned that Mr. Hawthorn's abilities in making road were developed in breaking stone by the side of the road, to repair the turnpike that passed through his native village.

The third applicant was also a man of remarkable genius. He had been used to first-class establishments, and proposed that I 6bould make at once green-houses, forcing-houses, grape-houses, arbors, grottoes, rustic houses, bridges, serpentine walks, lawns, etc. I began to grow enthusiastic at his glowing descriptions of the beauties in reserve for me, if I would but adopt his plans and employ him in their execution. He seemed to understand his business, and to be really in love with it But I fear he was one of those who astonish their employers as much by their extravagant expenditures as by the results of their skill. As I yet felt sore over the cost of my house, I thought it not best for the present to run the risk of any very great expense.

Soon came along another gardener, who made no very great pretensions. If he had not much knowledge, he certainly had some modesty. He thought he understood his business, and was willing to do his best to carry out my wishes, and hoped if he engaged with me he should prove himself worthy of my confidence. He appeared intelligent; I knew him to be modest; he did not look like a vain-boasting pretender; and I engaged him. I have had no reason to regret my choice.

I was now prepared to commence operations in earnest. But, as I am talking of the help I received in commencing my work, I must not forget the very valuable assistance of a kind and intelligent neighbor, a young farmer, residing only a mile from my place. I had noticed his farm, as being remarkable for its neatness. Everything bore evidence of intelligent and well-directed labor. The trees in the orchard bent under the weight of luscious fruit. The well-kept lawn, and beautiful shrubs, and fragrant flowers, marked this place as the abode of taste and refinement Though I did not like the idea of copying, yet I thought I would keep this place in my eye, as a model. I was therefore highly delighted, soon after my location at my new home, with a call from my neighbor, John Grove. He very kindly informed me that he had called over to proffer me any assistance in his power, as he had observed that my present vocation was a new one, and one for which at present I seemed hardly fitted. After thanking him for his kindness, I related some of my schemes, as well as my doubts and difficulties. He very frankly gave me the benefit of his experience and counsel; and his aid to me was invaluable.

While applauding my determination to take up my home in the country, he warned me of the causes which made so many city gentlemen disgusted with country life after a season's trial, and pointed out with the clearness of a philosopher the real pleasures of a country life. I became delighted with his intelligent conversation, and listened attentively as he proceeded: " Those who remove to the country for its enjoyments, generally anticipate too much. They imagine the country sky to be ever bright, and all seasons alike pleasant They seem to think luscious fruits anxiously wait to be plucked at all seasons of the year. They fondly hope to escape 'all the ills that flesh is heir to.' But this dream is never realized. There are clouds and storms, as well as sunshine, in the country. No spot, however salubrious or lovely, is exempt from sorrow, sickness, and death. The country affords its peculiar pleasures, and solid advantages ; but to be fitted for their enjoyment, we must have some rational ideas of their nature.

We must learn to love and appreciate the roomy, well-ventilated house, the free air uncontaminated by the smoke of chimneys, the cheerful aspect of vegetation; the songs of birds, and the beauty of the flowers, afford pleasures of no mean character to the man of thought and taste." He claimed that gardening was a great educator of children. "Parents," he said, "should teach their children to love and practice gardening. It will learn them system and order, patience and hope; it will give strength to the body and the mind; it will improve the head and the heart It will teach them self-reliance - that success is the reward of industry and perseverance, while failure is the result of negligence. It will teach them to 'Look from Nature up to Nature's God.'

Few realize the injury they do, and actually suffer, by depriving themselves and their children of the pleasures afforded by the cultivation of flowers - these children of the field. A farmer and his wife, in easy circumstances, not a thousand miles from this, had an only son, who, much to the sorrow of his parents, had imbibed a desire 'to go to sea.' He had read of the raging billows - of strange people in strange lands - of Orange groves - of lands where the Pine-apple grows - of exciting scenes in capturing the whale - and his whole heart seemed set on seeing foreign lands and living on the ocean wave. In vain his parents endeavored to interest him in the operations of the farm. He worked, to be sure, but his heart was not in the work. It was a drudgery, and he longed for the time when he could bid farewell to parents and home, and see the world for himself. At that time a Horticultural Society was established in the county, and at the first exhibition fruits and flowers of the finest kinds were displayed, many of them brought from a distance, and such as had never been seen in the neighborhood before. The. young man attended this exhibition, and looked at the display with wonder and surprise.

Nothing astonished him more than the lively, joyous interest, those engaged took in the arrangement of their several collections. While he had looked upon everything connected with the cultivation of the soil as a heartless drudgery, here even the ladies appeared to engage in it with a zeal and a pleasure he could hardly account for. One class of flowers particularly attracted his notice; he procured a few plants - planted them, and nursed and watched them, and waited anxiously and impatiently for the coming bloom. In due time his plants blossomed, and their extraordinary beauty repaid him for his toil. He carried off the prize at the next show. Elated at his success, and the pleasure it afforded him, he increased his collection - forgot all about the sea and strange lands - and became one of the most enthusiastic and intelligent cultivators, and the most successful competitor for prizes at the shows of the Horticultural Society. He now takes hold of farming in earnest - aims at the finest crops; and the parents reap in the society, perhaps, the salvation of their son, and in the better management of the farm, the happy influence of flowers upon the young mind, and the benefits of horticultural societies.

But for this society, sir," he continued, "I should not have had the pleasure of your acquaintance, nor you the benefit of my advice".

When my friend bade me adieu for the evening, I felt I had gained some new ideas - some food for thought and reflection.