FLORICULTURE 



To my mind, as wonderful as anything connected with the 

 growing of plants, is the contents of a package of seeds, say, for 

 instance, of Cinerarias. Looking at the tiny, hard specks 

 it seems almost impossible that within them lies, in a dormant 

 state, that which with a Uttle earth, moisture, warmth, sunshine 

 and air, will in the course of a few months, grow and develop into 

 hundreds of plants covered with thousands of bright, cheerful 

 blossoms in an endless array of shades and color combinations, 

 hardly two of them alike, to greet us in the greenhouse, while a 

 blizzard and zero weather may rage outdoors. 



I cannot look at those flowers and think of the seeds they came 

 from, without realizing how little we actually know about the 

 phenomena of Nature and all the hidden forces behind her. I keep 

 on wondering, and finally come to the conclusion that while man 

 may some day solve all mysteries, it won't be in our time. Mean- 

 while, why not be happy in being able to have a hand in growing 

 the plants from seed to blossom time ? It surely is a great privilege. 



To be gardeners, to enjoy and appreciate the chance to work 

 among living plants, should help make us better men, with a higher 

 conception of our responsibilities and duties in life, a keener realiza- 

 tion of life itself, a greater consideration for the rights of all our 

 feUow men, and a deeper sense of gratefulness. 



F. B. 



