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j FOR BOTH AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL j { PUBLISHED MONTHLY ON THE FIRST OF THE f 
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Entered as second-class matter March 31, 1914 at post office at | i Subscription price : Three years. $2.00 ; One year, $1.00. 
Calcium, N.Y., under act of March 3. 1879. = = 
“ Mlllllll IIIIIIIIIMMIIII 1 1 1 1 I IM Ml Ml M 1 1 • 1 1 1 • I* ■ 1 1 ■ ■ I |5 1 1 II I III 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Illllllll I 
THE GOLDEN SUNFLOWER. 
[ It'riner, txprtsily for The Flowor Grower. ] BY BERTHA BERBERT-HAMMOND. 
A NUMBER OF YEARS ago, an 
English playwright visiting New 
York City, popularized the Sun- 
flower to such an extent that 
there was a veritable Sunflower "craze. ” 
Wearing an "Oscar Wilde” (a nick- 
name bestowed upon the gay blossoms 
during the craze) became "all the rage.” 
This fad, like the "Grecian Bend” and 
other caprices of fashion, finally passed 
into oblivion and the Sunflower for 
years was almost forgotten. 
That such an ordinary flower should 
have been selected as the state flower 
of Kansas seems odd to some people 
but it proves that the bright, yellow 
Sunflower still has a host of admirers, 
particularly in the state of Kansas, 
“ Where the golden Sunflowers grow, 
Where the skies with azure glow.” 
On the prairies where the golden Sunflowers grow.” 
— G. L. Arnell. 
There certainly seems to be something 
so winsome in the up-turned sun- 
caressed face of an open sunflower that 
proves irresistible to many. Even while 
this flower was discredited by fashion, 
I retained a lurking fondness for it, 
and surreptitiously planted seeds in the 
back-ground of the hardy garden, 
where the unfashionable but cheery 
flowers would not be apt to offend the 
most fastidious. This proved a happy 
choice for here the bright golden blos- 
soms peeping through the shrubbery, 
with long stems bending gracefully to 
each passing zephyr, seemed to nod a 
gladsome greeting and helped to com- 
plete a color scheme that was charm- 
ing. Certainly in the back-ground the 
Sunflower had found itself. 
Beautiful Sunflower golden thy glow 
Pleasant thy greetings where ever I go 
Out o’er the face of the sweet sun-kissed plain. 
Bending to breezes, nodding to rain. 
Over the garden fence, back from the street 
Glowing thy blossoms so graceful and sweet. 
Lighten the longings of all who behold. 
Gorgeous Sunflowers with petals of gold. 
— A. G. Riddoch. 
One of the many agricultural changes 
due to war-time conditions was an in- 
crease in the raising of Sunflowers for 
poultry food and for the fertilizing prop- 
erties contained in the ash obtained by 
GLADIOLUS— EWE RIBBON. 
(For description see page 67) 
burning of its stalks, stems and leaves. 
In England the value of the Sun- 
flower as a producer of poultry and 
plant-food was so keenly appreciated 
that the Department of Food Produc- 
tion issued an appeal for the raising of 
large crops of Sunflowers, suggesting 
to those in charge of public parks and 
gardens, that all unused land not fit 
for food crops be used to grow them. 
It was estimated that the stalks, stems, 
leaves and flower heads (minus the 
seeds) produced on an acre of land, 
when burned, would yield about 160 
pounds of ash rich in potash. A bushel 
of the seed when crushed will yield 
about a gallon of oil similar to olive 
oil, and which is valuable in the manu- 
facture of fine soaps. The leaves of 
the plant serve as fodder and the stalks 
make good fuel. Having demonstrated 
its worth and usefulness in a time of 
need, the Sunflower merits continued 
recognition and appreciation. 
But the Sunflower is not only useful 
but quite ornamental. A hedge of these 
tall growing plants will screen an un- 
sightly fence, furnish an effective back 
ground for other flowers, provide a wel- 
come, cool and shady spot and do much 
totransform an ugly back-yard. If the 
flowers are cut before they grow too 
large, their long stems, lasting proper- 
ties, and striking contrast of gold and 
green, make them desirable for use in 
vases. A large bouquet of the bright 
showy flowers, in a yellow jardiniere, 
seems actually to entice sunlight into 
a dark niche or dingy room. 
The following pretty legend indicates 
that the Sunflower which originated in 
Peru, the home of the ancient sun- 
worshiping Incas, is not so humble in 
origin as some may imagine but may 
justly lay claim to royal lineage. 
Oh, royal Sunflower, I think I know why 
You always gaze up at the azure blue sky 
Your bright, golden crown ever turned to the sun — 
I know how your life here on earth was begun. 
When the Sun, King of Day. first retired for the night 
Behind the horizon to rest till daylight. 
He hung his gold crown on a horn of the moon. 
But the stars danced so high they shook it off soon, 
And it fell to the earth to be gemmed by the dew. 
Oh ! golden Sunflower ! that lost crown is you. 
— Gussie Morrow Gage. 
