FLOWERS. 



33 



leaflets arranged on both sides of a common midrib, 

 often fold themselves together, and remain in a droop- 

 ing posture, until the stimulating influence of the 

 sun's rays causes them again to expand. 



While, as has been observed, most flowers require 

 the action of light to make them bloom, the ab- 

 sence of light is not the only cause of their folding 

 up. For although crocuses are so tenacious of their 

 privilege of opening upon the first appearance of the 

 sun, that it is quite easy to cheat them by bringing 

 them near a lamp in the evening, yet many beautiful 

 wild as well as cultivated flowers, regardless of the 

 light, are closed by noonday. 



Florists act upon the sugges- 

 tions of Nature in the manage- 

 ment of their choice greenhouse 

 plants; and while they expose 

 them to the full glare of the sun 

 in order to produce the bloom, 

 they also observe that its conti- 

 nued influence tends to hasten 

 decay, by ripening too soon the 

 pollen contained in the anthers, 

 and consequently hastening the fertilizing of the 

 seed ; and as the flowers only last in perfection 

 while this process is being accomplished, the period 

 of blooming may be greatly prolonged by shading 

 them from the direct rays of the sun. If, then, the 

 half-opened flower be kept in a sort of twilight by 

 means of canvas or paper shades, the pollen does not 



o 



Thyrse, Lilac. 



