Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-03
THE SUNFLOWER.
The Old.EashiOned Flower Again 1 q
Favor.

writer In the Newark Daily Advertiser
says: the revival OF the antique I'M art seems
to have Influenced change in every depart
ld-tashioned flowers, which In former times
were favorite garden garniture, are to day
again grown In the lawns and lighthouses OF
doors OF those In humble circum stances
Among these plants, perhaps the most CON
sp1cuouS, and that which has gained the great
est modern favor is the sunfiower, which has
been for no inconslderable period excluded from
the parterre. To-day it is a chosen garniture
1or costly toilets. 1t is fayorite IN decorative
art and the market value for its artificial bios
som, is absurd. For utility, no plant that
blooms yields so rich reward for culture; and
yet 1t Is content to grow far distant from
everything that Is pleasing to the sight. Self
sowing, 1t spontaneously thrtves In the corner
OF courtyard, or springs from beneath the
chlnkS OF the paving stones.
Rich soil yields the larger sort, while less
fertile earth will give the delicate and small va
mility and contentment, to which we may add
dignity OF presence and lO.tiness of endeavor
ale not1ceably combined In the sun-f1Ower and
Americans may well be proud that such a plant
different species, scattered from ocean to oce An,
and from Maine 10 the Gulf OF Mexico, and we
are told tnat In all paris of the world may be
found their thick and rough stem, nOdding its
solitary flower to the sun; that sin the south
ern part CT Europe 1t is grown field crop. the
seeGs being used as food for cattle and poultry.
Olive Oil, is largely used for Illuminating and In
the manufacture OF soap. The seeds contain
me dic al qualities, and among our native abor-
tg1naiS we find them used for making bread.
Bees are attracted by the honey In the flower,
and the leaves serve for food for cattle and the
stem for fuel.'
None will deny that other flowers, interior
In dignity and splendor. have been admitted to
choice flower beds; and surely 1t Is not because
the sunflower Is lacking In fragrance, for other
non.odorous blooming plants have long con-
tinued In favor A few brief thoughts In ad-
dition to the above mentioned facts, may serve
to do away with many Of the false prejudiceS
that surround this should-be honored flower
Which worshipS the sun. The naming of the
SuDf1OWer had been supposed by many persons
to be due to the fact that the blossom turns to
the king OF day; this, however, is erroneous;
the pane was given from its close resemblance
to the sun. We know Of three seeds which
early In the spring Of last year were planted In
aa large and elegant lawn In New England
they were 1ndlvidualized by receiving names,
each OF which correspond with the names of
three mutual friends, those persons having
adopted the sunflower as their .feur a'an,itte.
these turned its yellow face from the other
two. who with apparent warmth OF affection
gaZed unchang1ngly upon each other, until the
frosts and ch1lls of autumn faded the color,
and the seeds dropped to mother earth.
Nor have the poets failed to immortalize this
plant, they having culIed from its earth rays
bright ideas and touching sentiments, with
which to adorn their rhyme.
OF the peculiar similarity that this flower has
TO the sun, from which 1t has been named, is
given by James Montgomery In the following:
" Eagle Of flowers! see thee stand,
And on the SUMS Moons glory gaze;
With eye like his, thy lids expand,
Though fix'd on earth, in darkness rooted there.
Thy prospect heaven"