THE PLANT WORI.D 7 



The last two being associated for purposes of economy, — the hardwood 

 trees are used for staves and the smaller species as fuel for the retorts of 

 the ' ' wood alcohol ' ' factories. To quote from the report : ' ' The cutting 

 for these factories ends in a complete denudation of the tract, ever>'thing 

 being taken, even to the smallest saplings, which are split into barrel 

 hoops. Nothing is left but a stump field strewn with the dead brush 

 from the twigs and tops. Fire is almost sure to follow, after which the 

 gray rocks appear among the blackened stumps." 



Hopeless as the situation seems, it may be wonderfully improved by 

 determined effort. If thoughtful people will look upon the subject of 

 preser\dng native plants in its proper light, and use discrimination in 

 dealing with it, there need be no fear of danger. Public opinion, once 

 aroused to the emergency, will be sufficiently powerful to make the 

 necessary change. 



In dealing with the sale of wild flowers on city streets, the refusal to 

 purchase such flowers will put a- speedy end to their collection for the 

 market. No person, knowing the facts of the case, should purchase 

 gentians, mayflowers, sabbatia, smilacina and others thus presented for 

 sale. No one with sound judgment can refuse to aid in their protection. 

 It will be remembered that a few years ago the Audubon Society made 

 an appeal in behalf of the birds. A statement of the cruelty being prac- 

 ticed and a request for aid met with a ready response. To-day the 

 movement for the protection of birds has hundreds of loyal supporters. 

 If public interest can be enlisted in such a cau.se as this, it can also be 

 relied upon to support a kindred cause. 



To those who gather bunches of flowers while walking through the 

 woods and fields, merely to enjoy their bright colors and their fragrance, 

 a word of warning will be all that is necessary. Care should be taken 

 not to pull up the roots in any case, as an important means of perpetu- 

 ation of the species will be thus ignored. And it is sometimes very difii- 

 cult to take the plant and not the roots, especially when a plant is delicate 

 and grows in marshy places. For this reason gentian and marsh-marigolds 

 must be gathered very carefully. It should also be remembered that 

 stems must be cut and not torn or broken, for as a result of unnecessary 

 mutilation further growth is often prevented. The popular collection of 

 strips of birch bark for use in making fancy articles offers still another 

 opportunity for careless destruction. If only the outer layers of the bark 

 are removed, no harm is done ; but if such deep incisions into it are made 

 that the flow of sap to branches and leaves is cut off, the life of the tree 

 is endangered. 



As for botanists and collectors, doubtless they, for the most part, 

 realize how necessary it is to use discrimination in gathering rare plants 

 and ferns. Mr. George E. Davenport in his interesting leaflet upon the 



