The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-16
IN THE LAND OF suNFLowgRs.
How Thrifty People Utilize tho state
Flower OF Kansas.
ISpecIal Correspondcncn.l

Flower of Kansas.
Especial Correspondence
ATCIltsoN, Kan, Oct. 3.-Beginning with
the middle OF July and lasting until late
In October, Kansas does her best to earn
her right to the title of the Sunflower
State The little black eyed Susans that
grow along creek banks and hide under
the trees are the first to make their an
pearance, and MS many us u hundred will
be found on one little bush. They are fol-
lowed in II few weeks by larger yellow
hearted sunilower, which is the shiest of
all varieties.
1t is found only In occasional spots, bear
ing but one or two blossoms on each stalk.
that lack the peculiar resinous smell that
Is part OF the beauty and attractiveness of
the other varieties. From it's delicate an
pearance it might be called the invalid OF
the s,Innower family.
There are about twenty different kinds
OF sun!'owers in July that straggle along
one after the other-u sort OF an advance
guard to proclaim the coming of the real
kansas emblem flower that bursts into
bloom about the middle of August. 1t is
dropping plant and often grows to an i'm
mense size. The leaves are heart shaped.
and the sunhowcrS are the largest known.
When cultivated in gardens the seed pod
alone often measures seven inches in diam
slightly hollows in the towns, casts shade
along dusty roadways, claims II corner in
every flower garden, mods in mt the second
story windows of houses, runs riot in the
fields, climbs the fences to get in the way
oil the plow in the corn field, and in a
saucy, impudcnt way claims the whole
state as it's territory and empire.
Thrifty people save the seeds for chicken
feed; the leaves are used for fodder. the
stalks make good fuel, and the time is
coming when the farmers will convert the
seed into oil. They make an oil TINT il
little inferior to olive oil An acre of land
will produce sixty bushels OF seed, and
each bushel is equivalent to gallon OF oil
The flower yields the hest of honey, and
besides being the prettest thing in the
state it can he made very useful.
The women wear them for corSaye bol-
qucts, fill vases with them for every room
i'll the house, paint them on chinn for the
dining room and OH lambrcquins for the
parlor. The emblem of the state is found
all over the house. The children make
gum of the WAX that accum,ilates on the
stalk The maiden who wears them in her
hair has lover who wears the badge of Il
sunilowcr To denote his patriotism, and the
old folks love their brightness while con-
dcmning their chcerfulncss in stur,lilv
growing and blooming, where corn and
oats will refuse To live.
They are the state emblem of loyalty and
patriotism. interviewer in every part of
the state history. they have furnished IA
theme alike for the patriot and poet. AL
bert Bigclow Paine, the Kansas poet, SAYS
Of the suntlowcr--and all Kansas peoplc
echo him
When all the Sky above is jest ez blue cz blue
can be,
An the rrairics air a-wavin like yallcr drift:n
sVa,
oh. tits hero my soui goes salin an my heart
is on the boom,
In the golden fields of Kansas when tho
sun
Flowers
Bloom.
FRANCES l.. GARsIDE.