82 



• ' GARDENING. 



Dec. /, 



DECORATIONS OF THE GRAND STAIRWAY AT PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITION 



Trees and Shrubs. 



BIRTHDAY TREES. 



The practice of planting trees as me- 

 mentoes of the recurring birthdays of our 

 children, is not as prevalent as it should 

 be. We give them toys and bric-a-brac 

 that in time are lost and pass out of sight, 

 and at maturity are remembered only in 

 the uncertain kaleidoscope of the past. 

 V\ hy not give them something that will 

 grow up with them? Something that 

 increases in grandeur and beauty as they 

 increase in stature and wisdom? 



Why not plant a tree at each birthday 

 and let them watch and care for it? It 

 not only teaches them to love this crea- 

 tion of their Mater, but incites an interest 

 in horticulture that may be a blessing to 

 them in after life, bringing them nearerto 

 the heart of Nature, for does not Shakes- 

 peare tell us: 

 "And this our life, exempt from public 



"haunt, 

 "Finds tongues in trees, books in the run- 



"ning brooks, 

 "Sermons in stones and good in every- 

 thing." 



It is true that all birthdays do not come 

 at planting time, but that need be no 

 hindrance. If the tree is wanted in the 

 heat of summer, or even in the dead of 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS ARRANGED IN JAPANESE STYLE BY PROP. CHOYO 



The central vase was arranged simply 

 as a study and has no special symbolism. 

 It should be noted that in no vase are 

 two flowers placed at exactly the same 

 height, and in no case are the lines of the 

 stems parallel. 



In speaking of vhe use of flowers Prof. 

 Choyo said that a Japanese would never 

 wear a lull blown flower. That would 

 signify that he had nothing fhrther to 

 look forward to. The half-opened flower 

 is always used for wearing. 



The Japanese name of the chrysanthe- 

 mum is pronounced "Keeko." The chrys- 



anthemum is not only the national flower 

 of Japan, but it is the badge of the Im- 

 perial household. Its adoption as the 

 Imperial badge came about through the 

 resemblance of the single varieties to the 

 disk of the sun with its rays of light. The 

 Japanese Emperors are said to be 

 descended from a god that came from the 

 sun. 



The national holiday is called "Chrys- 

 anthemum Day," and on that day all 

 citizens decorate their houses with the 

 national flower and exhibitions of the 

 flower are given. 



winter, a little foresight can make the 

 planting successful Procure atthe proper 

 season moderately small thrifty speci- 

 mens, known to be hardy in your section, 

 and choosing some temporary resting 

 ground, plant in strong willow baskets, 

 sinking the basket into the soil. When 

 the birthday comes, lift the whole thing 

 and plant basket and all in its permanent 

 home. The basket soon decays and the 

 tree moves on as if not disturbed. 



If the birthda3' occurs during the win- 

 ter months, mulch heavily with manure 

 the hole where the planting will be, and 



