86 LUTHER BURBANK 



green, red, and brown, were the next season in all their 

 fulness; and she proved to be a healthy, hardy child of 

 the wildwood, one that was quite sturdy and willing to 

 learn. 



Her flowers were dainty and graceful. They were often 

 given pet names by the country children, such as " coral 

 bells" and "rosy morn," when they gathered them in the 

 shady woods on the way to and from school. Once a year 

 a "wild flower day" is held in many of the schools, when 

 the children strive to excel in the number of kinds they 

 can gather for the exhibit. These dainty bells are gen- 

 erally found at that festival. 



The master knew there was a bright future for little 

 Heuchera (for that was Miss Wilding's proper name) as 

 an ornamental or foliage plant. With her richly colored, 

 finely veined leaves, he was sure she would excel, so he 

 placed her in that department, and her training for that 

 purpose began. 



Seeds were sown and the best of the thousands of plant 

 children were chosen. At each visit of the master Heu- 

 chera was encouraged to deepen the tints of her gown, and 

 especially to adorn it with more frills, and each time he 

 found her increasing in loveliness, showing her to be obedi- 

 ent and studious. 



Nature is never in a hurry, but at last she gave Heu- 

 chera the most exquisite and most highly colored foliage 

 of all flowers. In this humble little plant Burbank saw the 



