March, 1907 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



119 



Spraying Odorless Violets with Artificial Scent 



been stimulated to hold up their heads a while longer by 

 clever treatment. Although methods vary slightly they 

 mostly consist in placing the stems of the flowers in very hot 

 water for five minutes, and then putting them in a cool, dark 

 cupboard for an hour or so. Just before the blossoms are 

 placed on the display counter it is not an unusual practice to 

 spray them over with clear spring water. This produces a 



The Flower Doctor's Implements 



delightful effect of glistening dew drops on petal and leaf, 

 which is bound to make the show pleasant and attractive in 

 the eyes of would be buyers. After all it must be admitted 

 that the flower doctor does very much to assist in the meeting 

 of the great demand for blossoms, which it is safe to say, is 

 one of the best desires which the public has evidenced for a 

 long time. 



The Lure of the Trail 



Continued from Page 113 



filled with tender buds, and note its scarred appearance from 

 successive battles with the storm. He may even read the 

 message which it brings, for this tree is never found below 

 6,000 feet sea level; but long before this the intrepid climber 

 has been told how high he was from the kind of vegetation 

 on his pathway. 



Are there not charms in this? Yet these are but glimpses 

 of the pleasures that await him "who climbs the mountains 

 to get their good tidings." To stand in the valley and hear 

 the guide say, "On that mountain side are acres of meadows 

 on which are white mountain goats, deer, bear, and other 

 animals; in another place are great beds of blue forget-me- 

 nots; all along the trail are rhododendrons, bluebells, gen- 

 tian, and foxglove. Shall I take you to it?" requires no 

 answer. Early the next morning your feet brush aside the 



dews of dawn on the start for the trail, that zigzags across 

 the towering monarch's sides. A thousand beauties of Nature 

 beyond power of imagination await. Perhaps the summit is 

 reached by noon, and rest and luncheon taken in the shade 

 beside some cooling stream, or days may be spent in pene- 

 trating mountain fastnesses, in viewing splendid ice work, 

 chambered caves, crossing roaring mountain streams, skirting 

 emerald-hued lakes, gazing over the brink of yawning canons. 

 No one will ever begrudge the time given to the trail. It is 

 lifelong refreshment to the one who follows it, whether it be 

 so tortuous that guides and ropes are necessary, or the easy 

 pathway of some lower hill. Sparkling fall, flower bedecked 

 meadow, all Nature's plentltudes are here, and man has but 

 to open his heart for their transcendent glories to sink into 

 his soul. 



