8 THE PLANT WORLD 



subject urges all collectors of herbarium specimens to use great care when 

 dealing with ferns. He strongly advises collecting fronds only and these 

 when fully matured for the next season's growth, remarking, " that by 

 going about it in the right way, one can satisfy any reasonable desire for 

 herbarium specimens without exterminating plants." 



As a striking instance of the fact that we have many flowers to pick 

 freely even if some forms should be left unmolested, a bill providing for 

 the destruction of various forms has just come before the State legislature. 

 No later than January 7th this bill was introduced requiring, if passed, 

 that all wild carrots, daisies, common Canada thistles, Russian thistles, 

 and wild lettuce must be destroyed by the owner of the property on 

 which they are found. So there can be no doubt that these flowers may 

 be picked in any amount. Nor are they by any means the only such. 

 Sedges, grasses, spring beauty and particularly violets may also be gath- 

 ered extensively : these last, because they are provided with two kinds 

 of flowers. They possess not only the well-known ones, but also 

 inconspicuous cleistogamous flowers. Fertilized in the bud and hardly 

 apparent to the casual observer, these of course escape gathering and 

 furnish a convenient method of reproduction. Other flowers, among 

 them the dicentra, are decreasing in numbers, but not very slowly. How- 

 ever, they may still be taken if they are not picked in large quantities. 



As united and organized effort always proves effective — a fact amply 

 proved by the work of the Audubon Society — the formation of societies 

 to protect native plants would no doubt do great good. Societies of this 

 kind in Europe have had splendid results from their work. In our own 

 country there are a few already formed for the purpose. In addition to these, 

 many botanical clubs have given their endorsement and aid, among them 

 the New England Botanical Club, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 

 and the Torrey Botanical Club of New York City. The work at present 

 consists in the publication and distribution of leaflets, by which means 

 the matter is being brought before the public. 



Not only in caring for the birds, but in another connection referring 

 directly to our subject, have the people expressed their willingness to 

 hear any reasonable appeal. The celebration of Arbor Day is a fine in- 

 stance of their co-operation. The admirable custom of planting trees 

 upon this occasion is doing its part toward restoring our woods. More- 

 over, it is establishing an important precedent. Every year thousands of 

 trees are planted and the general public is reminded that there is neces- 

 sity for preserving our forests. 



In New York State there has been for years a constitutional provision 

 setting apart certain forest land which shall be kept forever wild and un- 

 destroyed. Large tracts, also, have been purchased by the State in the 

 Adirondacks and Catskills with a view to protecting the watersheds. A 



