New-York tribune., 1907-06-04
FOR A TYPICAL FLOWER
CoIumbine Suggested as Most Ap-
prOpriate for This Country.

| The recent discussion on the adoption Of a na-
uonaI flower for this country has brought forth a
| Ietter TO The Tribune from DR.. Frederick lie Roy
sargent teacher in the summer course In botany.
! Harvard University, and instructor in botany at
the University of Wisconsin.
He says that the maize and the trailing arbutus
We're carefully considered by the National Flower
convention. held at Asheville N c., in 1896. This
| convention composed of delegates appoint ed
| by the Governors of their respective states. Dr.
Sargent is president of the Columbne Association,
which has been formed 10 bring about the official
| auoptlon OF the columblne as the national flower.
The main results of the deliberations of the Ma
tional Flower Convention set forth in the fol-
| lowing official letter:
His, Excellency Elias Carr. Governor of North
s5 We III the m unqsasigned have been aPP4ned
senpled by your invitation In the city OF Asevlle;
October -23 1896 to apprise you of the results of
| In regard TO the main object OF their assembly,
viz, to decide upon a flower to be recommended in
| a memorial to the National Congress for adoption
as our national floral emblem they have concluded,
adequate representation Of the different sections
the country. it IS inexPedient to make any recon-
| In the way. however of contributing to the de-
fison @ OF me matter some time IN the near future
Itey nave thought 1t not improper to present here
| with a copy OF the resolution adopted by them at
in the selection of proper floral emblem viz
hesoIEed' Ihat plant to serve properly the pur-
| poses OF national flower should meet the follow
| !. 1t should be native of the United States and
should grow wild the greater part of its area.
2 II should bloom on one or more of our national
8. It should be capable of easy cultivation in any
4 1t should not be weed in any way offens-
I've or harmful to health: -
called flower, and should not be merely foliage
| plant or one chiefly valued for its fruit.
8. 1t should lend itself readily floral decoration
by yariety and purity of color and distinctveness
T. The features CHARACTERISTIC OF its form should
b@ sod such simpSlty and graGelul9ess that
| Hover may be readily recognized Independently OF
& 1t should he flower which has never been
@ nsep ny any other people as their floral emblem,
Citations piainl conactinqP viii L hest for
which our country stands among the nations Of the
! While the convention deemed It inexpedient to
| make any recommendation Of special flower at
IN nus time II was evidently the sense OF majority
OF. Ihe ueleEates present as SHOWN oy an informal
vote. that the Golumhine or aquileg!a Sometimes
| resolution.
Maize was found" Mr. Sargent continues. ito
be unfit to serve as a national flower when tested
especially by the conditions numbered and s. for
il IS really flower in the sense that the rose
Of England is, and its native home is Mexico ana
regions 70 the South.
AS 10 the so-caIled mayfower, or trailing ar
butus the IS worse. for only has this
flower been the chosen emblem of Nova Scotia for
many many years. and must thus be excluded under CON
'"The only flower ever suggested which meets all
the requirements mentioned is the Columbne, whose
many charms and wonderful fitness 10 serve as
Columba's emblem fully discussed in the liter
atUTe issued by the COlUmbine Association and in
my address the national flower movement de
livered before the Massachusetts Horticultural So
ciety. The Columbine Association wishes 70 In
clude among its members all who are interested
IN furtheTiug the adoption of the cOlumbne for our
national flower Its membership is steadily in
creasing. and II becomes sufficiently
! large and widespread to represent fairly public
opinion our pmpose IS 10 urge upon Congress tho
Qfcial recognition OF the columbne as Columbia =
floral emblem. standing for Peace, Plenty and
Power through its suggestion OF the dove tho horn
Of plenty and the eagle.
We would especially emphasize its symbolism
Of peace as indicated hy tho name columbine,
which, Ike Columbus and Columbia, comes from
columbia, dove. the worlds emblem OF peace-a
given 10 this flower because one common
form of II resembles group Of doves"
Copies OF the columbine ieefet and President
SHrgents address viii be mailed to any address
on receipt Of four cents ~hich covers the expense
70 the association, application 70 the secretary
Professor J. S. Pray. Postoflce Box 2Ut Boston.