144 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Then wherefore had they birth? 



* * ^ * * Hi 



To comfort man, to whisper hope 



Whene'er his faitli was dim, 

 For wiioso careth for the liowers 



Will much more care for him." 



Flowers I They are scattered everywhere. When on a visit to 

 the Indian Territory I picked seventeen different varieties of wild 

 flowers in going one-half mile, and when we moved to Illinois 

 twenty-eight years ago, the prairies were one vast flower garden, 

 many of them worthy a place in any garden, hnt they are fast dis- 

 appearing. Are any of ns trying to preserve those that are worthy 

 for future generations, or do we relegate that to some florist, that by 

 sending to him we can have them returned to us under some big 

 name. 



A few years ago Vick advertised quite extensively his " Montana 

 Verbena," '' very hardy," price only twenty-five cents for about a 

 dozen seeds. I sent and got a paper; it proved to be just what I 

 already had in my garden that my sister had sent from Kansas, and 

 when I visited her I saw it growing wild all over the prairie. 



I see one of our members recommend starting gladiolus bulbs 

 in the hot-beds. My plan has been to plant as early in the spring as 

 the ground would permit^ then at intervals of two or three weeks, 

 thus securing a succession of bloom. I think we had them in blos- 

 som about three months last summer. Dahlias, asters, verbenas, 

 phloxes drummondi, pansies, in fact, all flowers did well as far as I 

 have observed, when properly cared for, except roses; they were 

 badly winter-killed, and the rose slug tried to take what was left, 

 but by perseverance in applying remedies and picking them off, we 

 succeeded in saving our bushes, and this fall had some splended 

 roses. 



And now, in these cold, dreary winter days, the true horticultu- 

 rist can find many things to employ his leisure moments. There are 

 many preparations for the coming summer that can be attended to 

 at this time, also aiding the good wife in the care of the house 

 plants. Did you ever notice the difference on entering two homes — 

 one where everything is bright and cheerful, and windows filled with 

 lovely plants; the other where everything is dark and gloomy and 

 not a living thing to be seen except the inmates? Need I further 

 draw the picture! Then let us each and every one, fathers as well 

 as mothers, do everything we can to make home what home ought 

 to be, '' and our children will rise up and called us blessed." 



MRS. M. J. BARNARD. 



