, 1924-09-10

comes fixed upon the state much as
an evidently appropriate nickname
often fastens itself upon a person.
If h nickname be felicitous and
without a string in it, the person
rather glories in the distinction 1t
gives him. The same is true of any
obvious appropriate pseudonym for 4
state. Ohio rejoices in being known
around the world as the Buckeye
State" Maine the pine Tree State;"
Kansas the "Sunfiower State;'' Ne
vada the "Sage-Brush State" Ari-
IONA the Cactus State etc.
The Rocky Mountain states are
'all comparatively young. Traditions,
customs, and ~vernacular names are
in the making. Ideas and ideals that
spring out of the home environment
are gradually enriching our life.
The adventive fugitive terms that
found their way into our speech for
van of more fitting words, will
therefore gradually be displaced by
the more fitting terms that are
coming in.
Common names for the plants of
our wonderful varied and beautiful
flora have been ~singularly %inappro-
pirate. Most of our plants are spe-
officially different from those of the
eastern states. but as settlers and
teachers have come, they nave drag
ged in n often m~isapplied the
common names of their childhood
homes. Recently there has been
an awakening to the fact that Wy
oming's flora is distinctive and
worth knowing. The knowing is
the important thing, for with know
ledge will ONE owe and apprecia-
ton. This love will lead to the
wish to know the real name of the
plant and often to some fitting
popular appellation that will catch
the public fancy.
The Willow State
Such an appellation has been
found for the state. 1t has in it
the elements that will make it live.
Whenever it has been presented, its
appropriateness has been instantly
recognized and the suggestion has
met with spontaneous and hearty
approval. The idea has been pre-
sented in high schools. in college
classes, before luncheon, social and
civic clubs and in Scout lamps. 1t
always aroused enthusiasm and this
often found expression in the yell,
Rah-rah-rahi Rah-rah-rah!
R~ah-rah-rah!
The Willow State! The Willow
STATED The Willow STATED
Note some of the facts upon
which h appropriateness of the
name rests:
L. Probably no other state in the
union has so many different kinds
Of willows as Wyoming. The diff
ferent species range in size from
real trees down thru the shrubby
forms to the alpine ones that car
pet the swales among the highest
peaks of our most majestic noun
tain ranges.
2. No other plant is so univer-
sally distributed within our borders.
At least some of our many species
are found in every locality, be that
locality at the lowest altitude or up
among the eternal SHOWS. No cour
ty is with out it's Willow Creek
and some of them rejoice in sew
eral treams so named. Our thou
sands of mountain peaks owe much
of their beauty to the luxurious
willow clumps that border and DOT
them in wild profusion. Our finest
landscapes would lose much of their
beauty, were they bereft of their
willows.
8. Willows are known and loved
by everyone. No one needs 70 be
shown. Even small children recog
niza than of nnnn onI ara Ii a. 81
by the richness of their foliage, the
gracefulness of their habit, the
splendid contrasting colors of stems
and branches, in the long winter
season, and the beauty they give
to the vernal landscape when the
"pussy-tail' hower-clusters bedeck
the otherwise naked branches as
spring esumes her gentle sway.
A. The willows wand-like branch
es, whether they be laden with
flowers, foliage or fruit, are artis-
tic in their form and freshness.
They furnish the decorator with
patterns in which the golden cat
kins supply the charm. The will
low is the first to herald by the
opening of it's fuzzy buds. the ad-
'NH' SPiAhS, Nv IL 10 thS iast "
lay aside its golden or purpling
autumn dress.
5. The willow worthily s%ymbolizes
Wyoming. In it we find typified the
spirit and character of the people.
1t is strong-it bends to necessity.
but it does not break. 1t is az
gressive, continually advancing into
new stations and occupying new
fields. 1t is social, having learned