The Rural Voice, 1999-08, Page 28w
'VOER-AREA
RINGS` SWISS I1VA T
Asa cash cropper Felix Weber
knows of the bounty that comes
from good agricultural soil. But, as
a native of Switzerland, the Brussels -area
farmer realizes that the land can offer a
feast for the eyes as well.
Flowers are an important part of
agriculture in picturesque Switzerland.
"Farming in Switzerland is actually more
like landscaping," says Felix. "Swiss
farmers keep the country nice for the
tourists."
Accustomed to a proliferation of floral
colour, Felix planted a garden at the side
of the road on his County Road 86
property. This is no modest little garden
either, meant to be visually enjgyedihy" the
,,, homeowner and passersby.,He and his
"" wife Bernice Weber-Passchie' gncourage
people to stop, Ona cut a tiouquet.from the
80'x80 perennial flowerbed:" ,.
. 's�laming tillatr . f , Danieli has
a tlj:4)eP41.i n lower 44en odtrstde,
" , ` elle iri Siik " ipr hyvltz 'rl n 'ale
give flowers more than they would a bottle
of wine or candies. My brother does this so
I thought why not me."
However, there is a difference that Felix
is quick to note. "For me it is a hobby
though, not a business like my brother."
That said, Felix certainly knew how to
promote his enterprise. "The first year I
wohld take bouquets every time I went
into town and give them to people I knew.
There was not one woman I would walk
past who didn't smile when she saw the
flowers or say something about the lucky
person receiving them."
"1t proved to me that women here like
flowers as much as in Switzerland."
Bebnl'ce.already knew it. `•Well,;ou:
brought flowers on our first date:and it 1
worked," she says smiling.
'Though Feltx,may stress that the garden
is'a hobby,it comes with its share of work.
Spring's arrival means there's soil to be
Au'orked up and planting to be done. Of
the majority of the work .comes at
•
ernice Weber-Passchier and young
.son Felix .fir. survey the family
'roadside flower plot.
4
."
24 THE RURAL VOICE