110 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The bright little crocus blossom derives its name from the Greek 

 word meaning thread. It was so named because its thread-like fila- 

 ment was once much used for saffron dyes. "Cheerfulness" the gay little 

 blossoms symbolize, and certainly no word can better portray the effect 

 of their first appearance. The beaming glance which they throw on all 

 the spring world about them, as well as the origin given above, denies 

 the truth of the legend which affirms that they bear the name of an 

 unhappy lover whom the gods in pity changed into this flower. 



Dear little violet! You has the poet honored by making your 

 name synonymous with some of the sweetest words known to us. In 

 the language of flowers you speak in genile, unassuming accents of 

 modesty, faithfulness and maidenhood ; while your companion and sis- 

 ter, white violet, not less pure and beauteous than yourself, speaks 

 only and always of candor and innocence. 



The Greeks ealled the violet, Ion. By them it was believed that 

 Jupiter caused it to spring up when Io, whose form was changed to 

 that of a heifer, bent her lips to eat. Another popular belief is that 

 Diana transformed Ion into a violet to conceal her from Apollo. 



When the great Bonaparte was in exile his adherents adopted this 

 flower as a badge of loyalty. It is still used by the Bonaparte family.. 



From the constant allusions which Shakspeare makes to " the 

 nodding violet," it is regarded as his favorite of all Flora's children^ 

 and to many this is an added charm to the little beauty in blue. Always 

 a pet in the poetical world, some one has happily said there is " not a 

 famous poet but has linked its sweetness with his own " 



The wild Sweet William is a North American plant, blooming freely 

 and joyously in our own free woods. It is known to some as the 

 bearded pink, but to the French as the "poet's eye," from the manner 

 in which its petals are marked. 



Useful little strawberry blossoms are found growing wild through- 

 out the north temperate zone. "Perfect excellence" is the language 

 they speak, and the thought is beautifully expressed in this stanza,, 

 which is often quoted with reference to the strawberry: 



Untouched by mortal passions, 



Thou seem'st of heavenly birth — 

 Pure as the effulgence of a star, 



Just reached our distant earth. 



Mythologists tell us the Narcissus owes its origin to a handsome 

 youth of Bceothia, of whom it was foretold that he should live happily 

 until he beheld his own face. One day when heated by the chase, he 

 stopped to drink at a clear running mountain stream. Becoming spell- 

 bound with admiration for the handsome form reflected by the water, 



