THE WILD GARDEN. 
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. 
“Tam 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 
