198 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The old-fashioned Marigold, that is disliked so much on account of 

 its disagreeable oder, is a very distinguished flower in the country 

 which it lias the honor to represent. The Hindoo attaches great im- 

 portance to the Marigold ; it is their emblematic flower and means the 

 " Star of earth." The poet has made this flower say to its people : 



" Thou bade me shine and when my ray 



Won thee to thoughts of heaven, 

 From earth and care and toil away, 



My light was freely given. 



Would'st thou a star's bright beam retain 



To guide thine earthly way, 

 Then know thy thoughts must pure remain 



Beneath its heavenly ray. 



China claims for her emblematic flower one whose language is most 

 appropriate for one of the leading flowers of two continents, the much 

 admirad Chrysanthemum, the language of which is, "A sunbeam through 

 the clouds." The Chrysanthemum, while a native of China, belongs by 

 adoption to the Americans as well as most countries on the Eastern 

 continent. 



The Heliotrope belongs to Egypt. Its fragrance and color is 

 classed among the most delicate flowers in our country; the language 

 applied to it does not seem applicable. " Soul of my Soul," like most 

 things that once belonged to that country, means the center of great- 

 ness. There is little left but a history of that greatness, of a strong- 

 and powerful people, but its lovely emblematic flower is loved and 

 cared for by its friends in other countries, where it grows and thrives 

 with close attention. It is one of the strong feeders and requires the 

 very best of soil. Like Egypt's last sovereign, the celebrated Cleo- 

 patra, neglect is disastrous, and death will be the result. Unlike its 

 sister, tlie Lily of the Nile, whose strength and beauty can be had by 

 supplying her with plenty of water and good garden soil, she will 

 multiply and replenish, as nature intended her to, with both flowers and 

 bulbs ; therefoie gives more satisfaction than the more favored Helio- 

 trope. But this ''Soul of Soul" must be fed and flattered and pruned 

 with care, then she will fully repay with her dark purple lavender and 

 white blossoms. 



The Hibiscus is a child of Syria; the language of which is, "'Deli- 

 cate beauty;" it will live in any country, isTorth as well as South, if 

 protected from the cold. 



The Lotos was claimed by the ancient Greeks as the fruit and 

 flower of their destiny. The fruit is said to have a Vjsry soothing effect, 



