THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 59 



to the fringed orchids, the mountain laurel and the gerard- 

 ia. Believing iis we do, that it will be a most difficult 

 matter for an^^ plant protection society to entirely eradi- 

 cate the children's propensity for gathering flowers, we 

 submit that it would be excellent to call their attention 

 to the decided advantage to be gained by moderation. 



■» 



It is becoming the fashion in parts of the Old World to 

 provide "bird sanctuaries" by planting such shrubber3^ as 

 will afford both shelter and food to the feathered denizens 

 of the region. Even in America many of us are accus- 

 tomed to place food about the premises in winter as a 

 means of attracting the birds ; but probably few have de- 

 liberately planted their grounds with this end in view. 

 And 3'et, by the judicious selection of species, it is possible 

 to accomplish this with no loss of flowers or decorative 

 effect. A few rainbles in autumn will show which of our 

 native species are most desirable. By offering those spe- 

 cies that the birds like best, one may have plenty of bird- 

 life about his grounds even when his neighbors have few 

 or none. 



BOOKS AND WRITERS. 



American Gardening- has recentl}^ been devoting con- 

 siderable space to the insect friends and foes of the horti- 

 culturist. 



In "Bog Trotting for Orchids" Grace Graylock Niles 

 has recorded her experiences in the search for these fascin- 

 ating plants from Vermont to New Jersey'. In one sense 

 the title is misleading, for a good proportion of our orchids 

 do not grow in bogs, though Miss Niles has included them 

 all in her book. The author's adventures in penetrating 

 to the boggy retreats of the water-loving species are such 

 as are likely to befall any orchid collector, and being well 

 told, make a readable work, though we cannot help feeling 

 that the records of three summers give rather an air of 

 repetition to the book. Following the more general part 

 of the book is a list of New England orchids with careful 



