The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing Part 27

Worms--Secret enemies, ill-health.

Wreck--Catastrophes, peril.

Writing--Pleasant and profitable discovery.

Y

Yeast--Increase, abundance.

Yoke--Responsibilities, particularly of marriage.

Youth--Good time, light responsibilities.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.

Flowers may be combined and arranged so as to express even the nicest shades of sentiment.

If a flower is offered reversed, its direct significance is likewise reversed, so that the flower now means its opposite.

A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves conveys the sentiment. "I fear no longer; I hope." Stripped of leaves and thorns, it signifies, "There is nothing to hope or fear."

A full-blown rose placed over two buds signifies "Secrecy."

"Yes" is implied by touching the flower given to the lips.

"No" by pinching off a petal and casting it away.

"I am," is expressed by a laurel leaf twined around the bouquet. "I have," by an ivy leaf folded together. "I offer you," by a leaf of Virginia creeper.

Combinations and Their Meaning.

Moss, Rosebud and Myrtle--"A confession of love."

Mignonette and Colored Daisy--"Your qualities surpa.s.s your charms of beauty."

Lily of the Valley and Ferns--"Your unconscious sweetness has fascinated me."

Yellow Rose, Broken Straw and Ivy--"Your jealousy has broken our friendship."

Scarlet Geranium, Pa.s.sion Flower, Purple Hyacinth, and Arbor Vitae--"I trust you will find consolation, through faith, in your sorrow; be a.s.sured of my unchanging friendship."

Columbine, Day Lily, Broken Straw, Witch Hazel and Colored Daisy--"Your folly and coquetry have broken the spell of your beauty."

White Pink, Canary Gra.s.s and Laurel--"Your talent and perseverance will win you glory."

Golden-Rod and Monkshead, Sweet Pea and Forge-me-not--"Be cautious; danger is near; I depart soon; forget me not."

Significance of Single Flowers.

Arbor Vitae--Unchanging friendship.

Camelia, White--Loveliness.

Candy-Tuft--Indifference.

Carnation, Deep Red--Alas! for my poor heart.

Carnation, White--Disdain.

China-Aster--Variety.

Clover, Four-Leaf--Be mine.

Clover, White--Think of me.

Clover, Red--Industry.

Columbine--Folly.

Columbine, Purple--Resolved to win.

Daisy--Innocence.

Dead Leaves--Sadness.

Deadly Nightshade--Falsehood.

Fern--Fascination.

Forget-me-not--True love, Forget me not.

Fuschia, Scarlet--Taste.

Geranium, Rose--Preference.

Geranium, Scarlet--Consolation.

Golden-Rod--Be cautious.

Heliotrope--Devotion.

Honey-Flower--Love, sweet and secret.