94 THE GOLD MINE 



Other Plants, The Hibiscus kills down in winter, 

 but comes up in the spring. It has broad leaves and 

 large, white flowers, with crimson ejes. This race is 

 distinct from the other Hibiscus family, which is called 

 the Althea. The kind we are describing has strong 

 roots, which push up their sprouts with gi-eat vigor in 

 the spring. They bear immense masses of blossoms. 



The Polygonum is somewhat of this habit, making 

 a vigorous growth in summer, giving quite a profusion 

 of bloom, and killing down in winter. There are two 

 varieties on the Minnesota experiment grounds. 



The common name is the Mountain Fleece. One 

 species was introduced from the Himalaya mountains, 

 Avhence we derive so many of our choice shrubs. 



Incidentally, I would say that neither the Altheas nor 

 Wegelias are hardy in the great E'orthwest. 



THE ROSE. 



Personally I do not pay so much attention to this 

 flower as to the paeony, which is rapidly taking its 

 place, being much hardier, much more easily cultivated, 

 and as satisfactory every way. Yet there are thousands 

 of people who will prefer the rose to every other flower. 



1^0 other flower has had such a history. It reaches 

 back into the far-off ages, and you find it in writings 

 both sacred and profane. 



The Romans made much use of it in their social 

 gatherings. Roses were placed over the principal en- 

 trance, and he who passed under them silently bound 

 himself not to reveal anything that was said or done 



