no THE JOY OF GARDENS 



and gives to the earth as much as it takes. Like the soul 

 of a saint, it makes better the places that shelter it. And 

 counting its production of leafage and blossom, its stores 

 of honey and meed of beauty, aside from forage value, the 

 clover should be considered among the most welcome 

 guests, as it really is, of the farming lands. 



It is well worth while to adopt the clovers among our 

 acquaintances. Pluck one little pea-shaped floret from 

 the clover head and note its close resemblance to the white 

 flowers that graced the acacia in June. Then hold it close 

 to the splendid purple wistaria hanging from the trellis, 

 and recall the locust bloom of springtime, the gorse and 

 golden broom that decorate the Scotch highlands, the 

 little blue vetch and purple nonesuch of the roadside and 

 pastures, and, finally, turn to the sweet pea of the flower 

 borders and the blossoms of the vegetable garden ; and lo ! 

 they are all of one kindred. The modest white clover, 

 the loyal shamrock, and its prodigal sister the red 

 clover, are leaders in the evolution of this honored family 

 of flower folk. 



All the virtues that a kindly providence bestows upon 

 the bloom of plants have been awarded the clover. They 

 have changed more to suit their particular habits than any 

 other species of their relatives. Beauty and perfume are 

 theirs, and they are distinctively bee flowers. Each head 

 of clover is composed of thirty or forty tiny white or 

 purplish pea flowers, every one set in a protecting hairy 



