EPOCHS OF THE FORMAL GARDEN 



encircling the quivering yellow center is a source of 

 delight to each one who beholds it. Curiously enough 

 this dahlia has the habit, even when cut, of partially 

 closing at night until it resembles a tulip, but each morn 

 ing it expands again. 



Because I mention marigolds the last, one must not 

 think that they are least within my heart; they light 

 the darkest corner of the place and bloom unmoved 

 by wind or rain. Before them as a border we use 

 the sanvitalia, that sturdy, self-reliant plant whose 

 cheery yellow flowers are always neat as wax. At all 

 times it is ready for company, the faded blooms dis 

 appearing so quickly and so completely that I do not 

 remember having seen one! I wish I knew its history, 

 how and when it came from Mexico to the noble fam 

 ily in Parma who gave it their name. Some sea- 

 captain relative or friend must have been fond of 

 flowers to have chosen this tiny bloom instead of the 

 more showy products of the tropics, and to have 

 treasured these slips all the long distance across the sea. 

 Was it an offering of affection to some fair lady which, 



73 



