THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 August 1927, Page 18

THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

I promise to smile every time I can, and to chase all the frowns into the dark cave, where the Smile Giant will kin them with tis Magic Sword Happiness.

Dear Smiles, — Isn’t it lovely to see the bulbs making such a gay display in the gardens? I thought everything seemed late this year, but the other day I spied a lovely crimson tulip, and then I knew that everything wasn’t late—only some things. The early tulip made me think of Holland, for there spring is truly a fairyland of bulbs, especially tulips. Just pretend for a minute we are true fairies and magic ourselves to the Netherlands. We get off the boat at Amsterdam —vou know the place famous for diamond-cutting factories —and take train to Haarlem. Now we are right m the heart of the bulb country. The fields are ablaze with hyacinths, narcissi, crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops and tiilips. Most of the varieties are kept in separate square beds, and these, all planted side by side, with only quaint sand and brick paths between, have the appearance of one immense patchwork quilt. Perhaps the queen of all the bulbs is the tulip. Many people think it is a native of Holland, but in reality it was brought from Turkey by the Ambassador of the Lmperoi Maximilian. As a wild red flower in Persia if was of old a symbol of love and romance. Many authorities tell us, and I believe them to be true, that most of our modern varieties of tulips have sprung from these original Eastern species. In Holland the gardeners are mainly interested in producing new creations of tulips. Most new blooms are hybrids—that is, they are raised from the seed of one flower and the bees carry the pollen from others. As soon as the bloom" is properly formed the gardener -protects it by a covering of fine muslin so that no pollen of perhaps a third flower can reach it. Now, Smiles, if you have come back safely from Holland, I would like you all to think about our Gift Cupboard. We have some beautiful things in it already, but • there is heaps of room for plenty more, and I am sure there will be plenty of children eagerly looking forward to them at Christmas. With much love to each one of you. I am, Ever your affectionate SMILE QUEEN.

Te Kiri