156 THE GOLD MINE 



are very tender and will break as you separate the stiff 

 earth from them. 



THE NAME PHLOX. 



The signification is flame, on account of the bril- 

 liancy of the flowers. In the early days of Illinois, we 

 used to see great fields of these plants in the fullness of 

 their beauty. Along in the fifties I used to ride over 

 the vast prairies of Minnesota, where there would be 

 great flower gardens of thousands of acres, which filled 

 the air with their fragrance ; and the tonic of the fresh 

 air laden with perfume, and the immense fields of grow- 

 ing beauty would bring a new zest to life. 



In the Yellowstone Park there is a beautiful creep- 

 ing Phlox, which blooms in spite of the frosts. It 

 spreads out in clusters, often covering the rocks. It is 

 flesh, or light pink, in color, and a very attractive 

 flower. 



The Phlox is a native of I^orth America. It was 

 taken to Europe, and in the hands of florists there, it 

 has shown variations of form and color that are amaz- 

 ing. Its cultivation has great possibilities for the am- 

 ateur. The family is so large and the variations so 

 extensive that hybridization is yet going on. Their 

 improvement and development have reached that stage 

 where, with a little care, we can have a marvelous di- 

 versity in form and color. Plant the choice varieties 

 by themselves ; save the seed, planting it under a screen 

 in the fall, and you stand a chance of securing the 

 same. Of course, if vou raise for the market vou 



