FLORAL NOTES OF FOREIGN LANDS. 6 1 



Poor as are the villagers of the Giurgevo region of Roumania, 

 in every home, upon a shelf, there will be a cup with flowers, while 

 in the yards, as with Mrs. Wiggs, of cabbage patch fame, an old 

 wash-tub will serve to contain a geranium stock, or a young 

 oleander shrub, and gourd-vines serve to cover its sides. 



Among the underground hovels of the gypsies, in Roumania. on 

 departure, the visitor is presented with a dahlia and a sweet- 

 smelling herb. Chicory and muilein, as well as dandelion, flourish 

 along the roadsides, and the sun-flowers are set to adorn the 

 burying grounds. 



Along the railway between this ])()int and Tirnovo. the grass is 

 set in diamond patterns, in the cuts along the track, that it may 

 present a pleasing appearance while growing, and so that the 

 several diamonds may join. 



Dandeline and mustard, chicory and the elder constitute the 

 principal flora of the fields. 



In the picturesque iron balconies to the homes at Tirnova, 

 oleanders are planted, while on the broad flat roofs there are 

 regular gardens. On the doorstep, too, the jew geranium is set 

 to blossom. School children here bring the teacher bouquets, as 

 they do in our own country. 



Rose leaves and the locust petals are cooked in sugar, and 

 served as a confection to offer the visitor. 



The pillars of the old churches are frequently hung with floral 

 wreaths which are never taken away, but allowed to dry. 



In the windows of many of the homes the fuchsia blossoms 

 the year around. 



On the battlefields at Plevna. Bulgaria, flourish thistles and 

 mullein and dandelion, a queer white flower slightlv resembling 

 the elyssum. the chicory, the wild rose and the fluffy wild clematis, 

 and there is only the golden-rod absent to make the October 

 meadows resemble our own. 



At funerals, mourners awaiting the cortege at the door to 

 the church, one and all carrv flowers, and later, still bearing: 

 these, they follow the body to burial. On the left breast, and 

 across the body alone are flowers placed on the dead, a mourner 

 puttering constantly at their arrangement during service, but 



