THE WILD GARDEN. ^3 



opportunity for controversy or contention among the brethren. It 

 would never do to flaunt this firebrand among them. 



Many enthusiasts, with more sentiment than discrimination, 

 have commended the dandelion. But are we seeking a national 

 flower ? What is the dandelion ? A naturalized foreigner an at- 

 tribute, it is true, which has much to recommend it ; but unfortu- 

 nately it is more than this ; it is the same " dear common flower " 

 the world over Asia, Africa, Europe a non-committal, conserva- 

 tive cosmopolitan that smiles as sweetly by the King's highway 

 as by the path of freedom. Do we want the dandelion ? Better 

 the loyal witch-hazel, our own discriminating divining-rod, that 

 refuses to be reconciled to royal soil. 



The pond-lily has a number of sponsors, but without reason, 

 having no other notable distinction from its foreign counterparts 

 than its perfume a quality which, up to date, has not been suc- 

 cessfully conveyed through the visible arts. 



The wild- rose and the violet have recently come prominent- 

 ly to the front as important floral candidates. But where is the 

 country on the globe which will not show us this same wild-rose 

 and violet? Their close counterparts are omnipresent, and our 

 American blossoms have little, in the popular sense, worthy to 

 distinguish them as a national emblem. 



One by one these and many other fair claimants have brought 

 their credentials, and though primed for the occasion, retire in dis- 

 comfiture. 



What of the golden -rod ? She is not called. She comes with 

 confidence in her heart and victory on her brow; and thus she 

 speaks : 



"My name is Golden-rod. I am the ordained messenger of 

 that untold natural wealth which has blessed your land and is 

 still your heritage. My divining-rods are scattered broadcast 

 over your continent. They are in reach of all, and my dividend 

 is a hundred per cent, on every square foot. 



" I am a member of a hardy American family, which have al- 

 ways been true to their native sod. There are nearly one hun- 

 dred of us, all told, gladly living among you, a united family, true 



