CHILDREN AND FLOWERS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 April 1915, Page 3

CHILDREN AND FLOWERS

TO THE EDITOR

Slß,—Please let me have a little corner of your valuable paper on the above subject. . Children are never so happy as when they are in quest of flowers; to them it is one of the greatest pleasures of their lives to be revelling amongst the flowers, weaving garlands of floral treasures to crown some favourite playmata. Many and many a child has profitted by this early association with flowers, and in after years developed a keen interest in the entrancing pursuit of botany, or in a warm affection for the cult of gardening. I, at any rate, owe my love and enthusiasm for both subjects to my youthful acquaintance with them. It is gratifying to know that children are bieng encouraged nowadays to take a deeper interest in flowers and in nature subjects generally. In most schools they are taught to regard flowers, not as pretty objects to be ruthlessly plucked and thrown away in childish excitement, but as affording a good deal of interesting knowledge, in their structure, their colours, their perfumes, and their uses. Children should ever be encouraged to love flowers, and to study their manifold beauties and habits. Not only will their minds be enriched, but a deep-rooted love of the good and beautiful will be instilled into their souls for future development. I therefore earnestly appeal to all who have children or take an interest in their welfare to afford every possible inducement to the youth of both sexes to cultivate some plants in tiny gardens, and to study them. It will instil into their young minds a greater reverence for creation, and a knowledge fruitful in good results when they attain riper years.—l am, etc., H. H. TTopmeier, Gardener. Helensville, April 12. 1915.