There is a darkness which helps and sweetens. Disappointments,
difficulties, discouragements, and all things dark, come to us
apparently to depress us, but these are part of the experience
which helps us. Black charcoal will keep water sweet. Bulbs must
be buried in the darkness if they are to grow. In the winter
a florist endeavored with success to grow some bulbs without
placing them in the ground. He gathered some small stones and
put them into basins, placing the bulbs on the top of the
stones. Then he poured in sufficient water to touch the bulbs,
and to conserve the sweetness of the water he introduced little
pieces of charcoal among the stones. He then placed the basin in
a dark cupboard and kept them there for ten weeks, and when he
took them out the green leaves of the bulbs were showing. (Text.)
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