CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 194, 15 August 1936, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

“By many a field and fallow, And many a fairy foreland set With willow-mead and mallow.’’ Dear Members, — Arbor Day has just gone by, and so perhaps it will be appropriate to take for our subject this week trees, or at least, one of them. Now, I am sure we are all glad when we notice the willow starting to clothe itself with its beautiful cool-looking green leaves, so let’s talk about the weeping willow, perhaps no tree is better known to ail of us. This tree has ever been regarded as the Symbol of Sorrow, for not only do its pensive-looking branches droop mournfully towards the ground, but even frequently little drops of water are to be seen standing like tears upon the pendant leaves. Many a delightful landscape owes a large portion of its quiet beauty—its soothing pensiveness—to these “Shadowy trees, that lean So elegantly o’er the waters brim.” Pope was present when a present for Lady Satioik came from Spain, and he observed that sonic of the covering were pieces of sticks which appeared to have some vegetation growing on them. “Perhaps,” he said, “they may produce something we have not in England.” Under this idea, he planted a piece in his garden, and it produced the willow tree that has given birth to so many others. Fourteen years later Pope died, and the tree was cut down by the order of its owner, to put an end to the annoyance she experienced from the numberless applicants for cuttings of the precious relic, or even for a view of it. It is sad that so interesting a tree could not have been suffered to perish by the hand of time; that was indeed a tree the woodman should have spared. Linnaeus named this tree Salix Babylonica, or Willow of Babylon, in allusion to an affecting passage in the hundred and thirty-seventh psalm, where the captive children of Israel are represented as hanging their harps upon the willows by the rivers of Babylon, where they sat down and wept at the remembrance of their native land, and at the request of their captors that they should sing- unto them one of the songs of Zion, for, as the psalmist makes them so pathetically cry, “flow shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” Shakespeare introduces this emblematic tree into several of his plays, the scene of Ophelia’s death, and in that most exquisite lovely scene in the “Merchant of Venice’’ where Jessica and Lorenzo hold sweet conference, Shakespeare yet again makes use of this tree as a symbol of unfortunate love. Lorenzo, alluding to the abandonment of the ill-treated Carthageuian queen by Aeuas, says: “In such a night Stood Dido, with a willow in her hand, Upon the wild sea-banks, and waved her love To come again to Carthage.” Tire ancient Hebrews assigned the same melancholy significance as it did to the Arabs also, and tl’.ey have a most singular and interesting legend to account for its origin, but as space will not permit the telling of it, I will write it for next week. 1 expect you all are looking forward to our great Spring Show, and from what I have seen it is going-to be a real wonder show, and one that we shall all be very proud to have contributed to. - Yours sincerely, A. WEBER-TODMAN, Hon. Scerctai

Dear Members. Now that the school holidays will soon be with us we have decided to give special classes during the holidays. This will be greatly welcomed by the many members who have been unable to attend our usual weekly class. A new subject in decorative art will be taught and those that attend will be greatly interested. I would also like to mention that a special gilt medal is being given to the member staging the best exhibit of this new interesting decorative work. What is it? Oh, no members, this is going to be a real surprise to you all. The first class is to be held on Tuesday, September 2, in our rooms over McGruer’s. Special work is being done by our committee to make these classes interesting and it is to be hoped all members will make a point o£ attending. Now members, our big show will soon be with us, so I hope you are an preparing for the great event. The schedule will be ready in a week’s time and may be had from the following:—Mr. Benbrook, Upper Aramoho; Mr. Walker, chemist, Aramoho; Mr. Hood, 34 King's Avenue; Thompson Bros.’ store, Alma Road; Mrs. Phizacalea, Moana Street, Wanganui East; or the "Chronicle” Office, Victoria Avenue. Tickets for our show are now ready and will be sent to all members during the week. I hope you will all do your best to dispose of as many as possible. Our last show was such a success that I am sure you will have no difficulty in getting your friends to attend this one, which is going to be even better than the last. Special prizes will be given to members (both city and country) who give their best to make this show a success.. And please don’t forget the birthday cake —currants, flour, butter, icing sugar, eggs, etc., are all wanted for our great big cake—just leave any gifts at the "Chronicle” Company. Next week many important notices for you all, so all please be sure and read next week’s notes. And please don’t forget all parents are asked to help. Please send you names along. Till next week, cheerio-oh. “CARNATIO.” LETTEKLAND. "Miss New Zealand.”—We certainly will miss you at our next show. You will notice I have re-enrolled you and am happy to do so. Perhaps it may be possible to get some of your school pals to join. "Weeping Cherry.”—Happy to see you back again with us. Iceland poppy, pansy, antirrhinum, nemesia, are all easy to grow and may be sown now. The show is to be held on September 25 and 26. Yes, “Pink Heather” and "Rosebud” are very keen. The usual picking of daphne seems to be sufficient. Do not prune. You could give your daffodils a feed of | weak liquid cow manure once or | twice. Be sure and well fork the I ground over the following day to (allow the air to enter. “White Daffodil.”—lt is very pleasing to see so many of our older members returning. Have noted your birthday. Will also send the corm you have asked for. We hope our Maxwell members will do their best. Uncle Wai has donated a cup for the country member gaining most points. There will also be a trophy for the country district gaining most points. Wake up, Maxwellites. “Golden Lily of Japan.”—And still another of our old members popping

along. Your birthday noted, so a parcel has been sent. Do hope you will stir up all the members in your district. “Daphne.”—Your birthday noted, Joan. We are arranging for special

reduced fares and hope to have all the Main Trunk members with us. Can you come along? Doreen Clarke.—A hearty .welcome to you, Doreen. Did you enjoy the demonstration? Your gift will be given to you in September. Ronny Bebarfold.—A hearty welcome to you also, Ronny. You have a keen mate in Harold and I hope you will be just as interested. Your gift will be sent in September. Marie Pritchard.—We welcome you, Marie, to the Circle. The shilling you enclosed was correct and no further payment is required until you reach 16 years, when you can then join the senior division. Our next distribution of seeds and bulbs will be made in September, so we will post you a gift of these for your garden. “Crayhall.”—l will attend to your request as soon as possible, Jim. How are your bulbs? We have not heard about your garden for a long while. Uncle Wai.—The schedules for our show will be ready in about a week’s time and will be then sent to every member. The cups are beautiful and I am sure the member who holds yours for the year will be very proud. Thanks you for the seed and bulbs. This is now being packeted for distribution. NEW MEMBERS. Doreen Clarke, 30 Moana Street. Ronny Bebarfold, 4 Tawa Street. Marie Pritchard, No. 1 Line. RE-ENROLMENTS. Joan Watson, Church Place. Jean Donovan, Bell’s Junction. DEMONSTRATIONS. Westmere, to-day.—A special demonstration on dish gardens will be held in the Westmere Hall this afternoon at 2.15 p.m. All members and friends of surrounding districts are invited to this demonstration. City, to-day.—The usual weekly class will be held this afternoon In rooms over McGruer’s.