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GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



lished in the correct manner and at uniform intervals, 

 tlie shrub will appear pleasing to the eye. A stock so 

 treated as to remove the inner old wood will lighten 

 the interior of the bush permitting air and light to enter, 

 which will favor the formation of bud forming shoots. 

 The species of Philadclphus can all be propagated 

 through cuttings, layers or divisions. Cuttings are 

 made in the .Spring from young mature lateral shoots, 

 which are then placed in a somewhat shaded bed. 

 When this method is followed in the Summer, the 

 cuttings should be placed in the cold bed for root 

 formation. Propagation through seeds is also per- 

 missible where the species are desired. The varieties, 

 however, never come true to form when developed 

 through seeds. These are sown in seed boxes in the 



month of March, the soil kept moist, and the boxes 

 shaded. At the end of May the young plants are 

 transplanted to beds where they are further cared for. 

 In general it can be said that all Pliiladclphi are 

 more hardy than is generally supposed. When placed 

 in a somewhat protected' spot, they will survive a 

 normal Winter without injury even without Winter 

 covering. A few species are delicate, and the roots 

 of these should always be thoroughly covered with 

 manure. The garden varieties which originated 

 through the crossing of different species, such as the 

 tiny Philadclphus mirorophylus and the large flowering 

 species, should be carefully bedded and receive a bet- 

 ter type of soil for they are not quite so tolerant as 

 the species themselves. 



Conservation of Rare Wild Flowers 



BERTHA HERBERT-HAMMOND 



Picked from the stalk or pulled up from the roots 

 From overhead or from under foot. 

 Water wonders of pond or brook ; 

 Wherever you look and whatever you find. 

 Leave something behind. — Julia Horatia Ezving. 



TO thinking Nature lovers, it is a matter of grave 

 import and keen regret to learn, that unless 

 precautionary measures are taken to prevent 

 the ruthless destruction and needless waste of the 

 wealth of field and forest, many of our choicest wild 

 flowers will soon vanish from their native haunts. 



The disappearance from sections, of wildlings once 

 found there in profusion, while accounted for in part, 

 by the clearing of woods incident to the encroachment 

 of civilization, is due also in no small measure, to 

 sheer* thoughtlessness or the unrestrained desire of the 

 selfish to appropriate unearned treasures of meadow 

 and grove. 



It has been found necessary to enact laws for the 

 protection of our song birds and other game, but the 

 legislating of flower picking seems unappreciated, and 

 quite likely to prove as effective as endeavoring to 

 control satisfactorily the morals of a nation by man- 

 made laws, cluttering up the statute books with an 

 additional "verboten." Reparation is rather to be se- 

 cured by the heartj^ co-operation of persons, who by 

 a wide-spread campaign of education, or other effec- 

 tive means, must preach and practice the conserva- 

 tion of the gems of woods, wayside and marsh. 

 Floral, and agricultural publications, the daily press, 

 state Nature-study course, the grange and garden 

 clubs can render inestimable service in bringing the 

 matter of the importance of plant preservation before 

 a public, intelligent enough to try through precept 

 and example to teach sanity in the gathering of wild 

 flowers, but the great hope of the future is through 

 the school children of the land, many of whom are 

 classed among the transgressors. The capable, com- 

 prehending teacher, through Nature study work, has 

 a great opportunity to help stem the tide that threat- 

 ens to engulf the wonders of swamp, meadow and 

 forest, by instilling into the receptive minds of the 

 young such knowledge as will awaken a genuine and 

 lasting love of Nature, and the appreciation of the 

 fact that these priceless gifts are not for present en- 

 joyment alone, but held in trust for future genera- 

 tions. School children skillfully taught, when ap- 

 pealed to. develop into staunch allies, and trusty 



guardians of the wealth of woodland. Though they 

 are not expected to attain the high standard set by 

 that poet of Nature, Emerson, who asks 



Hast thou * * * 



Loved the woodrose and left it on its stalk? 



still they should, after such training, truly appreciate 

 flowers, and know when, what kind, and how many 

 blossoms may be gathered without harmful efifect 

 upon the flora of the vicinity. To the average child, 

 the quality of rarity, does not add materially to the 

 desirability of any particular flower, and many chil- 

 dren gather, from choice, attractive flowers, like the 

 golden buttercup, the charming ox-eyed daisy, the 

 scintillant dandelion, dainty Queen Anne's Lace, star- 

 like asters and other very common way-side beauties, 

 thus satisfying their desire for flowers and at the 

 same time conferring a favor on the farmer who justly 

 classes these and similar sorts among troublesome 

 "weeds." Most children assuredly feel like Lucy Lar- 

 com who said, 



I like these plants that you call weeds. 

 Sedge, hardback, mullein, yarrow, — 

 That knit their roots and sow their seeds 

 Where any grassy wheel track leads 

 Through country l;)y-ways narrow. 



It seems reasonable to believe, that children who 

 have been educated along these lines will become 

 intelligent Nature lovers, and will not, when they 

 grow up, be numbered among those heedless joy- 

 riders, "who without right or reason, despoil the 

 woods, trespass on roadside property, carrying oi¥ as 

 trophies of a day in the country, handfuls of drooping 

 flowers and large branches of apple blossoms, lilacs 

 and other flowering trees and shrubs. A movement 

 for the protection of the harvest of the country-side, 

 should make such depredations (now, all too common), 

 exceptions and should subject the offenders to merited 

 public censure and scorn. 



Kind hearts are the gardens. 

 Kind thoughts are the roots. 



Kind words are the blossoms, 

 Kind deeds are the fruits. 



Do not look for wrong and evil, 

 You will find them if you do. 



As you measure for your neighbor. 

 He win measure back to vou. — A. Carw 



