THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



PRESERVATION OF NATIVE NEW ENGLAND PLANTS 



A Society for the Preservation of Native New England Plants 

 has been formed under the auspices of the Garden Club of Amer- 

 ica and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Its object is to encourage and educate the people of New Eng- 

 land to protect native plants and wild flowers from destruction, 

 to cut them only with care and discrimination, leaving the rarer 

 specimens to multiply themselves, and to spread a knowledge of 

 their habits and cultural requirements among the community at 

 large. 



This Society plans to provide free lectures, hold exhibitions, 

 plant wild flower sanctuaries, and to spread knowledge and love 

 of wild plants, believing that once the people have learned about 

 them they will become their guardians and stop their rapid ex- 

 termination. 



At present the native Laurel is in great danger, being used in 

 immense quantities in decorations at all seasons of the year, but 

 especially at Christmas time. For example, one yard of "Laurel 

 rope" contains twent}^ years' growth of a large plant. In New 

 England motorists have already destroyed great quantities of this, 

 one of the most beautiful shrubs of America. 



Many wild flowers which twenty years ago were common are 

 now seldom found, and unless the people are willing to protect 

 rare and easily exterminated species they will soon be lost to New 

 England. For example, the Magnolia or Sweet Bay has from 

 overpicking practically disappeared from the swamp in the town 

 of Essex County, Massachusetts, to which it gave its name and 

 which was the only place in New England where this fragrant 

 flower grew naturally. The annual membership is placed at $i.oo 

 with Junior members (under eighteen years) no dues, except lo 

 cents for a button of the Society. Sustaining Members pay $5.00 

 or more. 



Further information may be had from Mrs. S. V. R. Crosby, 

 c/o Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 300 Massachusetts 

 Avenue, Boston, 17, Massachusetts. 



The accompanying cartoon (reproduced by courtesy of Life) 

 carries its own significance. 



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