The Junior Dominion

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 150, 21 March 1931, Page 25

The Junior Dominion

Dear Little Friends, — To-day is another of the Weather Clerk’s mistakes. Instead of a golden brown autumny day, he has given us one that should have come in the spring. I think he must have suddenly become interested in politics, and if he has, anything may happen to the weather. Still, we dotdt mind if he makes nice mistakes, do we? This morning as I passed the school grounds I sazv lines of little people drilling in the sunshine and enjoying -two very good things at the same time—exercise and fresh air. If more of these warm, Sunny days come along, you zvill be able to get still more fresh air and exercise in your gardens. Seeds of sweet peas and fragrant, old-fashioned mignonette are waiting to be planted, and cabbages, lettuces, and cauliflowers in the vegetable garden. I suppose the chrysanthemum ladies have begun to shake out their skirts in most gardens. Did you know that China was the first home of the chrysanthemum? From there it was taken to Japan. Then, just like the English “wars of the roses,” there was in Japan a “war of the chrysanthemums.” It lasted for fifty-six years, and when it ended, the chrysanthemum was made the heraldic emblem of the Imperial household. The chrysanthemum ladies do not seem to be pining for home, and they certainly make our gardens warm and glowing when the autumn days begin to grow cold. —KIWI.