FLOWERS IN LOVE

Shannon News, 19 October 1926, Page 4

FLOWERS IN LOVE

Sblooms that show affection A pretty story is told of a man who, in a trance, found himself in another sphere, standing by a bank covered with exquisite violets, the scent of which filled the air. Stooping to admire the flowers, he saw each dainty bloom lift its tiny head in acknowledgment of his delight in their beauty. Sir Jagadis Bose, the Indian scientist, calls plants anchored animals, and has proved beyond doubt that some plants are actually more sensitive than human beings. He has shown that they are actually affected by the approach of certain people. This? is a fact of intense interest to many flower lovers, who have long suspected that something of the sort was the case. They have noticed that flowers in adjoining gardens or allotments, on similar soil, and apparently similarly treated, do not grpw alike, but tliat in one garden they bloom more luxuriantly than in the other. They have noticed also that certain people are far more successful than others in groing what may be called shy flowers. It would appear that the personality of the gardener has much to do with the success of the flower garden—that, in fact,- there are people whom flowers love, just as there are those who have a natural power with animals. Often a comparatively frail woman can manage a horse which strong men have attempted to hold dn vain, and we all knowij cases of apparently insignificant people who are adored by all dogs. It seems that flowers and plants generally respond to love and affection. They like to be admired. It is not, of course, to be supposed that a plant will grow on admriation alone. It must be cultivated, and fed. But of two plants similarly cultivated and fed it'is the one that is fussed over and admired which responds by rapid growth and profuse and beautiful blooming'.