New-York tribune., 1907-07-01
AS A NATIONAL FLOW Err
COLUMBINE'S FITNESS.
Frederick LIE Roy Sargent Indicates
the DandeLiOn's Faults.

The suggestion of the dandelion for the ma
tlonal flower, made recently by a correspondent
of The Tribune has elected a letter from Fred
erick lie Roy Sargent. of Cambridge, Mass
president of the Columbine Association who
maintains that the dandelion fails to meet the
conditions essential TO a floral candidate for
thar honor while no other flower bear COM
parison with the columbine regards special
fitness to be the national emblem. Mr.. Sargent
says:
With reference TO the suggestion of the dande-
lion for our national flower made by William r.
McKim in your issue Of June l6. it should he
pointed out that although the dandelion is quite
common any of us could wish, If not more So II
fails to meet several of the conditions set down
essential 10 a candidate by the national flower
ventton. whose unanimous resolution on the subject
you published on June 4.
In the first place we learn from recent authori-
ties on American plants that within territory
the dandelion is weed introduced from Europe.
As to its decorative possibilities not only is there
variety of color in It's blossoms, but their form
scarcely distinguishes them from many others of
the same family, while if conventonalized there
would often be observed an unfortunate resem-
blance Its relative. the chrysanthemum which
appears upon the Japanese flag and coat OF
The dandelion, moreover. has the habit of clos
ing its blossoms at night in cloudy weather,
thus booming TO disappointment those who would
II for decoration indoors Finally. it may be
doubted whether the patriotic associaton claimed
for It would plainly appear many people.
All advocates of the Columhne. however. must
heartily sympathize with Mr.. Mckim's desire for
national flower htly symbolizing a nation made
up of sovereign states Cemented into indissov-
able union" We ask him and all others of like
mind to consider how plainly candidate may be
used 10 express this association of ideas as we'll
others equally precious to all true Americans
and to weigh he principal reasons that have been
given TO show why the columbne should be our
national flower.
our country needs floral emblem comparable to
those of other great nations because such a flower
would serve to arouse patriotic associations in a
way that no other form of emblem could do, and
would thus add and significant element OF
beauty 10 our national art and architecture,
symbol to national literature and a source
of enjoyment in the celebration of national
holidays Since the time of the Columbian expo
sition the need of national flower has been more
and more keeny felt by all who have concerned
themselves with the expression Of patriotic sent-
ments, and there has been a steadily increasing
appreciation of the supreme fitness of the Colum-
bine TO be Coumbias emblem
While the columbine is a weed. but. on the
contrary, is of the very choicest of our ma
tion's flowers IL grows wild in one or another of
its various forms throughout the length and
breadth Of our land. Columbnes are. moreover.
particularly easy Of cultivation. and great
favorites in gardens everywhere They are in fun
bloom national holidays For use IN deco
ration they will be found fully equal to roses in
durability. while for purity and range or cooratl"h
they are among the most wonderful flowers in the
world Besides our national colors-red, white and
blue--we have golden yellow, orange, purple ana
various notifications and combinations or these
which offer exceptional possibilities TO horticulture
lists and floral decorators
No other flower can possibly have such a wealth
of patriotic associations plainly connect the
colInbne with our own country and people. The
name columbne which at once suggests our be-
loved Columbia was given 10 the plant because or
the resemblance which form OF the flower
bears to group Of doves Ghe Latin for dove being
columbus or "coumba). The name aquileGia,
hy which coumbines known to botanists and
horticulturists has usually been connected by
scholars with the Latin 'aqlila, an eagle, from
the circumstance that the curved spurs in certain
forms Of the flower resemble the talons Of an eagle
Thus in the very names and form Of the Hover
| W have suggested the symbol OF inofensveness
! and peace-the harmless dove-associated with the
! thought of American eagle-emhlematfc OF fear
/ less power What could more appropriately express
! Columba's attitude toward other nations, Besides
this have the significant fact that in front view
! the outline Of the blossom is exquisite fvo-
rayed star. clearly recalling those upon nation
| coat Of arms Moreover single neCtarN taken
| from a very short spurred flower Is found 10 re
| semble closely a Phrygian liberty cap while IN
| the long spurred forms have lVe ample horns
! Of plenty" than which nothing could more appro-
priaely symbolic the fruitfulness OF land which
! forms the chief Rranary OF the world Our motto
| e PljIribus Unun.' IS eNemplifed by the Coum-
| bne leaf. with its many segments, while the lobes
| cf ita terminal division found 70 he typlCally
| thirteen in number Ike the stripes Of flag.
All who would have occasion TO use national
flower in decoration will especially appreciate the
circumstance that the symbolism Of the cOlumhino
! is fully and plainly expressed in the form OF
It's various parts and, moreover that the form is
| at once so simple and Enthusiastically distinctive