;12; ^:^S CALIFORNIA FLOWERS GROW 



palatable viands in a decorative setting, and some- 

 times our project wins adherents and sometimes it 

 does not. The plant, which is the oldest advertiser 

 on the earth, makes no such economic mistake. It 

 probably learned in the early ages that the wander- 

 ing bee would gladly sip of its sweets and then, 

 more often than not, depart without even a u thank 

 you." 



The plant's one object in advertising its blossoms 

 is to get the pollen from one flower carried to the 

 stigma of -another. Often it ripens the anther of one 

 blossom before its stigma so that its own pollen 

 cannot possibly fertilize it; and it must have outside 

 aid. While advertising its banquet free to the world, 

 the plant takes very good care that any diner at its 

 table must involuntarily help in the purpose for 

 which he is invited. 



One of the most skillful advertisers among our 

 native- plants is our State Flower, the California 

 Poppy. Up and down the State, far and wide, it 

 splashes its glorious color, typical of California 

 with its many days of golden sunshine and its golden 

 lodes awaiting but the industry of man to gladden 

 the surface of the earth. Not only does Poppy revel 

 in brilliant dye, but she weaves her material with a 

 satiny sheen that reflects the light from every angle. 

 No living creature can pass a Poppy bed without 

 his eye being caught by her beauty. We humans 



