320 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



The following poem was then read: 



• WILD FLOWERS. 



BY WERDEN REYNOLDS. 



The wild flowers, the wild flowers, uncultured and true 

 From nature's own garden — of nature's own hue; 

 No hot bed distortions, nor monstrous forms — no; — 

 'Tis thus that I love flowers, as God makes them grow. 



And thus do I love, too, affections of heart, 



Up-welling, spontaneous, untrammeled by art: — 



I love them all true, unaffected, sincere, 



Like the beautiful Wild Flowers that God gives us here. 



Then gather life's wild flowers from young and from old; 

 Those grown in true hearts — the pearls and the gold; — 

 Bind up a sweet nosegay to cheer life's lone hours; 

 Mementoes of dear ones in language of flowers. 



The hawthorne of hope, the constant blue bell, 

 The pure drooping lily, that blooms in the dell. 

 White violet and myrtle, so modest and mild, 

 And woodbine fraternal, all native and wild. 



The Indian jasmine, attachment to you; 

 The sweetbrier, simplicity; bittersweet, true; 

 The orange flower, chaste of so delicate tint, 

 And emblems of virtue, the snow ball and mint. 



The humble-born daisy, to innocence dear, 



The osier of frankness, and fern, the sincere: — 



'Tis such flowers — the wild ones — most dearly I prize, 



Earth's loveliest symbols of joys iu the skies. 



Yes, gather them all from the loved of my youth, 

 The wild flowers of sympathy, friendship and truth: — 

 And wreathe their sweet symbols; with ivy entwine 

 A garland of fragrance for memory's shrine. 



It is not for the secretary to speak of this piece, further than 

 say that hearty applause followed the reading. 



