WHAT FLOWERS TEACH US. 73 



succession, till the whole seems as if Flora had taken full possession; 

 the air is fragrant with perfume, the eye is delighted with the sight, 

 and the soul is filled with thankfulness and adoration to Him who 

 giveth us such gifts. 



In this generation more interest has been taken in the study of 

 flowers. The florists produce new varieties, larger size, firmer growth, 

 and finer coloring. They also study more the fitness of place, the qual- 

 ities of soil, and the temperature required by the different varieties. 

 In all this the professional florists take the lead. People do not con- 

 sider the time, patience, and money it requires. Two of our society, 

 Carl Kruger, who produced such marvels of carnation and tuberous 

 begonias, and B. F. Lelong, who was such a devoted follower of Pomona, 

 have lately finished their work. The change has come to them which 

 must come to us all, and we trust that in their new existence the beauty 

 and glory of the beyond are more than earthly imagination had ever 

 dreamed. 



Our own florists are working, each in his peculiar department. 

 Far above all the rest, from the woods of dear old New England, and 

 with the associations of such men as Philips, Emerson, and Agassiz, 

 still clinging around him, we have our own Luther Burbank. His work 

 is known from London to the Cape of Good Hope, and from New York 

 to the gardens of the Nile. Both fruit and flowers have claimed his 

 attention, and there is no doubt but, if he can pursue his work a few years 

 longer, he will produce flowers of any shape and color, and fruit of 

 any size and taste, at the shortest notice. 



Our life may be very monotonous; as a rule, we take some business 

 or profession, and in order to succeed we must give our time to that. 

 In order to vary this routine and have a little change, what better can 

 we have than gardening? Sir Thomas Lipton says, "Gardening give* 

 you just enough to think about to be a complete distraction, yet not 

 enough to worry you." 



In Japan the arrangement of flowers is pursued by men of rank, 

 and ladies of the aristocracy are allowed to practise the art, because it 

 inspires virtues, as gentleness, self-denial, forgetfulness of care, and 

 spirituality. On farewell receptions they send flowers that bloom often, 

 to express the hope of a speedy return. To the sick, blossoms of a 

 hardy, vigorous growth are sent, that health may be suggested. Gay 

 flowers are strewn in affliction, and on festive days. The lotus is never 

 used, as it is associated with the spirit of the dead. 



He who was born in Bethlehem taught lessons from the fruit and 

 the flowers. From the vine and the branches He taught unity and 

 strength; from the fig, to be fruitful in good works; and by His care 

 of the lily and the grass that clothed the field, He showed us His love 

 and protection for the least of one of His children. 



