The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1922-03-21


every indebtedness to life, if he only
had sufficient fund of tomorrows
in his bank" The wise gardener in
dulges in no such vain illusions. As
a health resort the garden is UNI
equaled, it costs less in actual work
and anxiety than a trip to the north
ern lakes, or a visit to the seaside;
is certainly much less expensive.
The strenuous life, the stuffy rooms
and high living of the usual summer
resort, generally sends the tourist
back home feeling less fit than
when he left. We have often laughed
ed about the city dweller who an
nounces his departure for the wilds
of Michigan or the Berkshire hills,
closes up the front of his house and
betakes himself to the shade and Sc
clusion of the back yard. We may
detest his camouaage, but we GER
tainly admire his good sense.
The early morning in the garden
in the sunshine and the dew, with
the little work that is necessary to
keep things growing, will beat any
tonic that has ever been patented.
The garden is not only a wonderful
health resort but is a hair restorer
as well, provided the gardener is
wise enough to discard his hat or
bonnet. | learned this secret years
ago when surveying land in the hills
with man who never wore a hat, no
matter what the weather, and who
had such an enormous crop or hair
that l wondered if it could be true
that the hairs of our head were real
ly all numbered. If / ever saw a
million hair it was that man Jack
son.
Spring is the most delightful of
the seasons, when the flowers we so
carefully put to bed in drear Novem-
Der wake up and greet us smilingly
and the air is balmy and refreshing.
In these green days, reviving sick
ness lifts her languid head, life flows
afresh, and calm contentment walks
the sunny glades.
o Prosperpina,
For the flowers now, that sfrighted
thou letst fall
From Dis's wagon: daffodils
That come before the swallows dare,
and take
The winds of March with beauty,
violets dim
But sweeter than the lids of Juno's
eyes or Cyntherea's breath.
Dear common flowers that growst
beside the way
Fringing the dusty road with harm
less gold
Gardening is an endless theme,
for the lover Of flowers like Tenny-
sons brook could go on forever,
singing the praises Of these silent
friends, who gladden. our lives, and
finally decorate our graves.
1t is difficult to decide as the
season becomes far advanced, just
what flowers we love best or most
admire. But in March there is not
much competition, for the crocus
and the jonquil alone challenge our
attention and admiration, receiving
a heartier welcome than could be ex-
pected by their belated sisters.
I am an impartial lover of every
blooming thing, but my hobby is the
Dahlia, the noblest Roman of them
all Like the daffodil and the tu-
lip, the dahlia makes its appear
ance when there are but few flow
ers left TO ornament the garden. But
its popularity does not rest upon that
fact but because Of its marvellous
variety of form, and wonderful di-
yersity of color, its immunity from
disease and insect pests, and its
ease of culture. No other flower re-
spends so readily to kind treatment,
or repays one half so lavishly for
the attention bestowed upon il. It's
history is a little bit queer, for in
its native habitat il is not regarded
as flower but rather as low
grade vegetable, yet good enough
for the poverty stricken poems of
Mexico to dine upon.
The Dahlia not only owes its
name but its Introduction into polite
society, to an enterprising Dutchman
named Dahl, who thought he was
adding something worthwhile TO the
food products Of his native land
when he carried large shipment Of
these tubers back to Holland. /