396 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



goodnatured face. But if we examine his habits and customs closer 

 we find that he, like the sunflower, is a sham. 



Again, the touch-me-not reminds me more of a sour old maid than 

 anything else, because so common. And then such a temper as she 

 generally has ! When she is in an ill humor you dare not even look at 

 her longer than she thinks necessary without her temper falling all to 

 pieces, lust as the touch-me-not does if you happen to touch it. 



Next let us notice a sweet rose. It makes me think of a modest, 

 retiring country maiden who is " born to blush unseen, and waste her 

 sweetness on the desert air," but who, when found, is by far sweeter 

 than those moving wore in society circles. 



Then we have the little velvet pansies which almost seem too del* 

 icate to be associated with the less refined flowers which surround 

 them. They remind me of a band of little children who, before they 

 even know the meaning of sin, seem too pure to associate with the 

 wickedness of this world lest their innocence be changed to some- 

 thing of a coarser nature. 



Kext is the meek and lowly daisy which we find in the fields, wild 

 and uncultured, as well as in the beautiful flower gardens which adorn 

 our city homes. We may liken them to people who are -jlways con- 

 tented and who, in whatever position of life they may be placed, 

 scatter sumbeams all around them. 



Then we have the snow-white lily of the valley. How very pure it 

 is. I can think of nothing that is sweet enough to compare it with but 

 the " sweet girl graduate," and I think you will fully agree with me in 

 this. Again we have the green tea rose. After noting its color alone 

 we know quite well what it compares best with. It is the " sour boy 

 graduate." 



The poet has, we find, compared flowers to stars shining in the 

 earth's firmament. But we find the poet Longfellow has truly said : 



"Everywhere about us they are g'owing 



Some like stars to tell us spring is born, 

 Others their blue eyes with tears o'erflowlng 



Stand like Ruth, amid the goldeu corn. 



In all places then and in ail seasons. 



Flowers expand their light and soul like wing, 



Teaching us by most persuasive reasons 

 How akin they are to human things." 



