10 



HOME AND FLOWERS 



articles as that on Lilies and Clematis" 

 which appears in a New York periodical 

 of recent date. She adds that she "thinks 

 the idea a most beautiful one." So far as 

 the idea is concerned, I agree with her. 

 But when it comes to a consideration of 

 the practicality of the idea — as Kipling 

 says — "that's another story." The simple 

 truth is, the article will not stand exam- 

 ination. Clematis Jackmanni and Lilies 

 may bloom at the same time, but C. panic- 

 ulata does not come into bloom until weeks 

 after the Lilies have passed into "the sere 

 and yellow leaf," and this fact alone is 

 quite sufficient to destroy the value of 

 the article, because it shows that it was 

 based on what might he, rather than on 

 luhat is. A great deal of floricultural 

 literature is made up of sentimental 

 theories. It i^eacls well, but — it can't be 

 put into practice. Such articles are not 

 what the practical amateur gardener 

 wants, and such articles will not find a 

 place in Home and Flowers. 



❖ * ❖ 



Another correspondent writes to say that 

 she would like an "exchange department." 

 I wouldn't. That's where we differ. I 

 have been connected with several period- 

 icals having such departments, and they 

 resulted in more annoyance than can easily 

 be imagined. Some persons took advan- 

 tage of the generosity of others, and pro- 



0 perfect day of summertime! 



1 see the pilgrim shacloTi-s climb 

 The peaceful hills, as down the west 

 The sun goes journeying to his rest, 

 While all the valley at my feet 



Is wrapped in calm as deep and sweet 



As that which in my fancy lies 



About the peaks of Paradise, 



And softly to myself I say, 



Is heaven more fair than earth today? 



The river's voice is low and sweet 

 Where Lily leaves, a fairy fleet, 

 Are rising, falling, by the shores 

 Like boats adrift with idle oars. 

 I see the water fairies dance 



cured plants for which they rendered no 

 equivalent. Others used the department 

 to advertise little schemes of their own, 

 and nobody was satisfied with its working. 

 Therefore, profiting by past experience, 

 and out of regard for the many who would 

 be imposed on by unprincipled persons 

 who believe in getting all they can and 

 paying for it in promises they have no 

 intention of making good, I say, No ! to 

 an "exchange department." This is not 

 meant to reflect upon the honesty and 

 good intentions of those wdio believe such 

 a department might be of benefit to them- 

 selves and others. It might be, if confined, 

 to persons like themselves. But those who 

 see in it a chance to help themselves at 

 the expense of others would take prompt 

 advantage of it, as surely as two and two 

 make four, and the editor would most 

 likely be blamed for it all. I don't propose 

 to set such a trap for myself ! 



' . ^ . 1 



H« * :i! I 



I am pleased to receive a good many! 

 very pleasant letters from readers, many; 

 of which will be found in another depart- j 

 ment. I want more. Write and tell us 

 all about the little, as well as the large 

 things of your experience among flowers. 

 Chatty, practical, newsy letters are what I 

 like to get. But — please don't write on 

 both sides of the paper. Leave one page 

 blank for the printer's sake. 



Among the shadows on the banks, 



Where, crowned with plume and armed with lance, 



The tall reeds stand in stately ranks. 



And fancy that some Pan, today, 



Is fashioning pipes whereon to play. 



All day the elves of June have SAvung 

 The Lily-bells, the grass among. 

 And filled the air with melody 

 Like that which comes in dreams to me. 

 Airs out of Elfland, vague as sweet, 

 That only those who dream can hear 

 When rest is round them to complete 

 The happy day that croAvns the year— 

 The happy day when life, to me, 

 Is dream, and dream reality. 



JUNE 



