Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-05
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWE ELL.

with inferior corms of his own grow
ing. Commonly the flower spikes need
stalking, regarded by many as null
sance.
The marigold has distasteful smell,
and surely cannot be placed In the
group of flowers which have blooms Of
certain delicacy 1t belongs rather,
to the "sure-f1re" group where surety
of bloom and long season make for
contentment.
Many will approve the substitution of
phlox both in tho annual and peren-
NAL forms. This offering, however, Is
subject to rust We have seen some
specimens this year which were In very
bad shape.
Hollyhock, too, will rust: but the
hibiscus, thousands of which may be
seen growing around the Speedway, Is
subject to sort of "yellows," and a
windstorm will blow 1t over unless
staked.
AS for the selection of iris. as fine
as 1t is. in preference to good OAR
win tulip, this is solely matter OF
personal liking. Perhaps the iris today
has the bulge on the tulip. The popu-
lar fancy has been caught by the In
PRODUCTION of finer German iris. Surely
they are wonderful flowers. Too much
cannot be said for them.
n u
There are certain fundamental flow
ers. however. just as there are certain
fundamental books. certain songs, which
every one should know. Not to be &C.
quainted with the rose, for instance, Is
to miss much sheer Joy in passing
through this world.
Personal acquaintance is what counts
In such matters. 1t Is one thing to
have heard that Dumas 1.-THE Count of
Monte Cristo" Is great story. quite
another to read the work and to know
its greatness for ones self.
A great piece Of music--any great
works one thing in catalogue. quite
another and better thing to him who
has played the composition for him.
self. no matter how faulty, or who has
listened to 1t enough to understand 1t.
Such understanding is not so much
matter of theory as of actual prac-
tice. The book one has read and liked
means something to the reader. The
music one has heard and enjoyed
means something to the listener. When
1t comes to gardens much the same
thing holds true
The home owner who has grown
roses, even with little success, Is going
to get more out Of bouquet than he
or she who simply knows them in the
vase, as good as such use of them is,
and as necessary for those who would
not otherwise know flowers.
Flowers are jewel-points In the
worlds work They accent life They
embroider the pleasing green back
ground of Nature In Spring and Sum-
mer with thousand tints and shades.
passing some of their beauty on to hum
drum mortals who otherwise would miss
ever learning that thing of beauty Is
a Joy forever, as John Keats said.
The place of flowers in the daily
civilized life is definite. It Is not to be
overthrown lightly by sneers. nor made
of no account simply by the statement
of some one or other. A huge business
is built justly upon 1t. Perhaps the
oldest mercantile firms In America are
seed houses.
These factors point squarely to the
necessity for a fundamental list of
flowers that every one should know, In
order that they may be pleased and
satisfied. and thus be led on to further
acquaintance with the treasures OF Ma
ture. In matters of taste there should
be no first or last, but only an accept
ance of the good. For beginners. GER
tain good plants are better than GER
tain other good plants. This Is the
only criterion when making a sure
fire" list.