THE PLANT WORLD 43 



The Wild Flower Preservation Society 



of America. 



We give space this month to an interesting and highly suggestive 

 article by Dr. H. S. Pepoon, of Chicago, showing how one generation 

 can witness the extinction of nearly one-half of the indigenous flora on a 

 large farm. The cutting out of the trees probably brought this about 

 more speedily than any other means ; and it illustrates the need of saving 

 our woodland if we would save other vegetation. Miss Price's article on 

 " Kentucky Oaks," published in another part of this issue, also bears on 

 this question. 



In the current issue of Bird Lore Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright has a 

 stirring sermon on the text ' ' Keep on Pedaling. ' ' The metaphor is taken 

 from the days when every one was learning to ride the wheel, and the 

 constant cry, as she says, "of the perspiring instructor who ran beside 

 was ' Keep on pedaling ; if you stop you 're a goner ! ' " 



Mrs. Wright applies this to the Audubon Society, and points out that 

 it will not do to rest on the laurels gained after several years of work. 

 The cause of bird protection needs constant pushing or the public would 

 very speedily slip back into the old comfortable state of indifference, and 

 bird feathers would again come into fashion. Precisely the same advice 

 applies to the members of our own Society. We have heard and also seen 

 in print the statement that wild flower protection is assured, now that 

 societies have been formed to promote it. Nothing is farther from the 

 truth. The battle is only just begun. Nor will it be won by mere tacit 

 approval of our efforts. Start an active campaign of education in your own 

 town. Use your personal influence with your friends against indiscrim- 

 inate flower picking. Find out what plants are most in need of preserv- 

 ation and devote your attention to them . Do some real work, and never 

 be satisfied until you can feel that there is a genuine awakening of public 

 .sentiment in the matter. Then perhaps you can go a step farther and 

 secure influence looking toward the establishment of municipal parks, 

 where the plants will be properly cared for. We are always glad to help 

 you in any way if you will tell us something of local conditions and 

 requirements. 



When you are doing missionary work among your friends, be sure 

 to explain to them that under our amended constitution those who do 

 not wish this magazine need only pay an annual fee of fifty cents, and 

 they are just as welcome in the Society. Of course those who can afford 

 the additional dollar will have the advantage of securing valuable reading 

 matter. 



