34. PLANNING AND PLANTING 



Wanamaker, once took a few of his valuable mo- 

 ments to write thus of the little plant we know and 

 love as the Cyclamen. He wrote: "The little 

 flowering plant on the breakfast table called the 

 Cyclamen, has been our joy and encourager for 

 two months. Its slender, graceful stalks bearing 

 bright flowers. It was like a living bird, every 

 day speaking to our eyes. A little water daily 

 renewed its life, and sitting near a window, it 

 breathed the fresh air and felt the summer sun." 



With us, as no doubt it was with this man of 

 world^wide fame, a cheerful blooming plant on the 

 breakfast table, will scatter its cheer abroad, and 

 we will go out into the workaday world better for- 

 tified to meet the world for having had the com- 

 panionship of the bright little plant at the start of 

 the day. 



Even the humblest of blooming plants, or most 

 modest of bouquets brought to the sick room, 

 speaks eloquently of the giver and of love. It 

 there throws off an effulgent light as does a 

 candle in the dark. It helps in the mending of a 

 broken body; it comforts and cheers. 



Plants and flowers are like friends in the home. 

 Their companionship is a delight. 



In many ways plants are like people. Some are 

 not so showy, bright and gaudy as- others, but 

 always to be depended upon and universally ad- 

 mired and loved. Such as these are the Ferns and 



