LIFE AMONG THE FLOWERS 37 



animal life are very closely associated, in fact the one could scarcely 

 exist without the other. Therefore the flov/ors that live and bloom 

 for us every day are very dear and close to our attention. Every 

 plant and flower has a life, and requires care and attention in order 

 to be healthy, prolific and bloom whenever we so desire. 



We plant the little seed because we know that there is a life con- 

 cealed within its kernel. "he seed germinates, sprouts and forms 

 its roots. The larger ones to hold the plant to the soil from which it 

 gets its nourishment and the smaller fibre roots to gather up the 

 moisture and other nourishment as it may need. 



It grows upward to a stem and foliage. The foliage or leaves 

 are breathing lungs of the plant, they gather the oxygen from the 

 air and send it downward to the roots. Therefore it is very essential 

 that we have plenty of pure, fresh air in the rooms in which we grow 

 plants. 



The roots gather nourishment and moisture from the soil and 

 send it upward along the stem of the plant to the leaves. These 

 leaves are the living cells by which the plant breathes and evaporates, 

 and throws out from the soil the used moisture, as well as inhales the 

 various substances in the air through the thousands of pores or little 

 openings; thousands to the square inch, located mostly on the under 

 side of the leaves. Therefore it is very important that the foliage or 

 leaves of the plants should be kept clean and free from various insects 

 that are injurious to the foliage of the plants. 



The roots should be furnished with sufficient moisture to supply 

 the foliage, which if in healthy condition evaporates very rapidly. 

 When we bear in mind that all plants consist of from seventy to ninety 

 per cent of water, we realize how important water is to the life and 

 well, being of the plant. 



If there is lack of moisture In the soil the foliage will feel soft, 

 and wilted, and if continued for some time, they will drop off. If 

 too much moisture the foliage will turn pale and the roots become 

 sick, and not able to perform their mission. And finally the plant 

 becomes stunted and will die. 



Therefore remember that your plants are living things and 

 require care and attention. Now when the plants have reached their 

 maturity they flower, and they are now in their glory. The glory that 

 we all are after, the flowers that make the florist smile. Likewise the 

 orchardist or the farmer when he sees the trees full of flowers, they 

 fore-tell a bountiful fruit crop concealed beneath those beautiful 

 petals. 



The children are delighted, because they can have plenty of 

 blossoms with which to fill their May baskets. Others with their eyes 

 and ears ever ready to gather in natures poetry see in these same 

 flowers a promise of a new life. God Almighty first planted a garden 

 and put a man in it, but of course later on had to put the lady in, in 



