THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 3 



heads, though large, are few in number, but make up for lack 

 in numbers by remaining in good condition for a long time. 



The flowers of all the species are remarkably alike in color, 

 but a color not easy to describe. Purple is a general term for 

 all flowers of a similar color but these would be scarcely called 

 purple. They remind one both in shape and color of the flow- 

 ers of the ironweed {vernonia) thought they are never to be 

 confused with that plant even at a distance. The plants seem 

 to prefer dry, gravelly soils but will thrive anywhere and are 

 extensively planted in parks and other decorative plantings. 



A NEW BOTANICAL GARDEN. 



BY MRS. CORA E. PEASE. 



A WILD Botanic Garden having many distinctive features 

 has been established within the past year by the teachers 

 of botany in the city of Minneapolis. From year to year these 

 teachers found it more difficult to procure plants for study 

 in their classes, often having to take the train to distant local- 

 ities at wasteful expenditure of time, money and energy for 

 rare things, as pitcher plants, orchids, sundews, ferns, etc., 

 that once grew within the city limits. A section of unimprov- 

 ed park land containing a tamarack swamp, a bit of meadow 

 and of woodland appealed to them as very desirable to pre- 

 serve in its natural condition for the beginning of a wild 

 botanic garden. They had no difficulty in interesting the 

 State University, the Park Board and public spirited citizens 

 in their scheme, so that the desired land was set aside for the 

 garden; to be protected and all necessary labor to be done by 

 the Park Boad, while the teachers have the control of its 

 management, including, of course, the plan of planting. 



A minute topographical survey of the land has been made, 

 so that what is already growing, and what is to be planted can 

 be mapped out on every foot of the ground. It is intended to 



