THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



SO calmed in spirit that they speedily came to the realization that it was 

 a wrong thing for two such warm friends to seek each the life of the 

 other in combat over a foolish dispute. They shook hands and renewed 

 their former friendliness, and in order not to forget this memorable inci- 

 dent and to express their deep gratitude for the chrysanthemum's power, 

 they adopted the flower as their family emblem, and were many times seen 

 in the field on horseback with dainty white chrysanthemums on their 

 helmets. So, as the friends in the foregoing story, we also, as individuals 

 and nations, may, if we look over and above our petty disputes, gain from 

 the beauties of nature, as seen perhaps in the matchless beauty of the 

 chrysanthemum, an inspiration which will temper our prejudices, remove 

 our misunderstandings, and enlighten us in our ignorance. 



Quite recently I heard another story which beautifully illustrates with 

 what deep love the cultivation of the chrysanthemum is regarded in Japan. 

 Some years ago there was a great national show in Tokyo, and one of 

 the newspapers of influence off^ered a large sum of money for the prize- 

 winning flower, but with the condition that it should be named for that 

 newspaper. The highest award came to a poor hupible gardener, as 

 having the finest flower in all the great show. The prize of money offered 

 by the paper would have been sufficient to keep the poor gardener com- 

 fortably for the rest of his life, but the beautiful plant had already been 

 named for his faithful wife whose constant care had made the wonderful 

 development possible, and, although the temptation was very strong, he 

 refused the prize money and the beautiful chrysanthemum was long known 

 under the name of his faithful and loving wife. 



I thank you again for the great honor which you have conferred upon 

 me by inviting me to this opening ceremony of the chrysanthemum show. 



In closing the meeting Mr. Powell remarked as follows : 



I am certain all have been interested in the address of our distinguished 

 visitor, and in the delightful insight he has given us of the sentiment, work 

 and life of the country which he represents here this evening. 



I was particularly interested in the illustration given of beautiful women 

 and the cherry blossoms. I am glad to be able to assure Your Excellency, 

 that in our city of New York, and in other sections of our United States, 

 many of our most beautiful American women are leaders in the most 

 beautiful and skillful work that is done in horticulture. There are many 

 among them who, by their own hands, give the finest care and culture in 

 the development of exquisite roses and other plants and flowers, and are 

 possessed of scientific and technical knowledge of horticulture. This may 

 be said and is known of your own beautiful women of Japan, who, by 

 their knowledge and deftness of hand, are enabled to so weave and direct 

 the growth and development of the leaves upon rose bushes, that in the 

 finished operation is produced the perfect rose in its completeness in form, 

 from the leaves of the plants. In industrial art Japan gives valuable les- 

 sons to the world. 



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