STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 91 



" I am on]}' a pcor Heather; have no blossom or beaut}-, but will 

 go and do what I can.'' With the expression of this resolution, 

 from every leaf and branch sprang beautiful flowers, giving us 

 our Scottish Heather Rose. This tells us that the buds of self- 

 sacrifice always produce blossoms of s-weet satisfaction. FJowers 

 also are closely interwoven in the history of almost every 

 country. The Rose of England represents many years of 

 battle and bloodshed. The Shamrock of Ireland brings to 

 our minds poverty, ignorance and superstition on the one hand, 

 with zealous, patriotism and loyalty on the othe . The Scot- 

 tish thistle tells us of the self-reliant, hardy and staunch old High- 

 lands with their Scotch plaids and bagpipes. The fair Lily of 

 France is still the fair Lily, -hough reeking with blood and nourished 

 by the guillotine. Why should we not have a National flower? Why 

 not the Golden-rod, it's like many things, in its surrounding. It is 

 indigenous to our soil as are the everlasting hills ; it looks so fragile 

 with those large tufts of flowers on that slender stalk, but you try 

 to break it off, you wish to know how much hidden strength and 

 resistance there is stowed away in it. It's like the people who till 

 the soil out of which it grows so carelessly. Of its past we knew 

 but little, may it represent to us, as a whole, and to all the genera- 

 tions following, peace, prosperity and happiness. Dear brothers, 

 admonish the dear wives at home to remember. 



How akin flowers are to human things, — 

 Emblems of our own great resurrection, 

 Emblems of the bright and better laud. 



While they are emblematic of these future promises they are also 

 emblems of sorrow and of woe. And although we cannot consider 

 the yew and cypress without a dark and gloomy cloud for the 

 Instant passing before us, yet with the same glance we ma}' behold 

 the olive leaf of peace, the laurel wreath of victory. So it is all 

 the way through, pleasure closely associated with pain. Is pain 

 only exaggerated pleasure? Who knows? The juice of the Poppy 

 in minimum dotes alleviates, just beyond it means death. We 

 weep for joy, we do the same in sorrow. 



Aud the poet, faithful and far-seeing 

 Sees alike in stars aud flowers, a part 

 Of the self-same universal being. 

 Which is throbbiii"' in his l)raiu aud heart. 



