A FLOWER HOBBY 231 
tunately it does not have to be taken literally—least 
of all by those to whom the growing of flowers is 
more a matter of recreation than of botany. Make 
your interpretation liberal, not literal, and just as 
liberal as you choose; it is your hobby, no one’s else. 
Look over the principal genera that have come 
into garden cultivation and then decide on the one 
that most appeals to you. Maybe that very one 
already is represented by a species or two. If it is 
not, make a start with one or more of the easiest 
species—which you may be sure are those most 
commonly catalogued—and then add others from 
time to time. Study, the while, this genus from the 
botanical point of view; see what Bailey’s Cyclo- 
pedia of Horticulture has to say, for one thing. 
The more you study the more you will become ab- 
sorbed, and it will not be unusual if your desires 
show a disposition to get way ahead of your time 
and money conveniences. But do not let them; you 
can ride your hobby slowly and sanely and have 
just as good a time. 
Perhaps it is the lily genus that is decided upon. 
This would be a fortunate decision indeed; for 
American gardens are so badly in need of more 
lilies that every one who makes a hobby of them is 
a benefactor to this and future generations. You 
find the genus catalogued as Lilium, the particular 
species being indicated by a second Latin word; 
thus the botanical name of the tiger lily is Lilium 
tigrinum. 
Make a start with some of the easy species, such 
