12 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST, 



suggested this particular stuch' as an incentive, and man}'' 

 a time when Hfe has seemed to hold nothing worth living 

 for, has the exciting pleasure ot this pursuit led me to lose 

 sight of self in awe and admiration of the wonderful 

 works of God. Longfellow says, 



"If thou art worn and hard beset 

 With sorrows, that thou wouldst forget, 

 If thou wouldst read a lesson, that will keep 

 Thy heart from fainting and th}^ soul from sleep. 

 Go to the woods and hills ! No tears 

 Dim the sweet look that Nature wears." 

 Many express a willingness to take up the study but plead 

 lack of time as an excuse. It does take time, I admit; but 

 I also contend that people wall Bnd time for whatever in- 

 terests them most — whether it be scientific researches or 

 pouring over the latest novel; whether domestic pursuits 

 or filling the detnands of social functions. 



To you who have not yet made the acquaintance of 

 the wild flowers, let me say that I can assure 3^ou that 

 you have a great pleasure in store and one which I hope 

 you will enjoy before the floral procession of another year 

 passes, 



Berlin, N. H. 



Ov-'-^^v. 



N©t@ glfigI ©©fi^fi^@fi1. 



Wanted, — Short notes of interest to the general bot- 

 anist are alwa^^s in demand for this department. Our 

 readers are invited to make this the place of publication 

 for their botanical items. 



Freezing and Plant Growth. — Those who have 

 taken up tubers, bulbs and rootstocks of our native plants 

 in autumn intending to make them bloom indoors 

 during the winter, know that they do not readily respond 

 to warmth and moisture. And yet, the same plants taken 

 Irom the earth during a "January thaw" or even during 

 the first thawing days of spring, push up at once and 



