PROLOGUE:- 
Of course it is not Christmas nor even winter, but a pleasant October 
day with lily-of-the-field and autumn crocus making bright yellow and mauve 
patches under the oaks, and the vine maple painting Oregon hillsides. But 
Christmas and winter have a way of sneaking up on one, so I make no apology 
for reminding you that holly is the most beautiful of Christmas greens, nor 
for telling you to order early if you want those delightfully Christmassy 
Frosted Braunschweiger of Eleanor’s, or the best fruit cake your money 
can buy. 
o 
ABOUT HOLLY 
Our native American holly does not grow wild in the Pacific Northwest. 
The holly I send you at Christmas was introduced many years ago from 
Europe, and includes several varieties of the European species Ilex aquifolium. 
It is grown as a garden ornamental and also in commercial orchards. Using 
this English type, more beautiful than the American in foliage and berry, in 
your Christmas decorations, will help conserve the vanishing American Holly 
of the east and south. This is why the Garden Club of America gives its 
approval to the sale of Oregon Holly. 
-o- 
Some seasons I have found Phlox diffusa seeds at timber line in mid- 
October, but this year I went just after the distinguished visitors had gone, 
and there were no seed left. Phlox has explosive seed capsules, and my theory 
is that every one on Mt. Hood exploded with excitement the day that Presi¬ 
dent Roosevelt and the First Lady visited Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge. Any¬ 
way, I can’t fill any orders this year. Excuse it, please. 
If you have a friend who is interested in herbs, the gift to send is “Magic 
Fragrance”, by Rosetta E. Clarkson, $2.00. Address the author at 60 Old 
Orchard Road, New Rochelle, New York. 
Referring to the “Latin masks for Little Daffodils” in the autumn 
T. & T., a correspondent who is herself a distinguished user of trowel and 
typewriter, sends this stanza from “A London Flower Show” by Evelyn 
Underhill: 
“Here is a daffodil 
Six-winged as seraphs are; 
They found her on a Spanish hill 
Wild as a wind-blown star. 
Now she is tame 
She hath a Latin name.” 
