127 
JOINT MEETING ON THE CONSERVATION OF OUR 
NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 
On Wednesday, May 28, a joint meeting of several societies and 
individuals interested in the conservation of our native wild plants 
was held at the Garden. At the morning meeting Miss Ellen 
Eddy Shaw spoke on the work of her department in the Children’s 
Gardens. After her lecture in the Laboratory Building, the vis- 
itors were conducted to the Children’s Gardens in the southern part 
of the Garden, where Miss Shaw explained the methods of in- 
struction. 
In the afternoon the report was received of the Committee on 
Conservation of Native Plants appointed last May at a similar 
meeting at the Garden. The committee appointed at that time was 
as follows: Dr. R. C. Benedict, of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 
Chairman, representing the American Fern Society; Dr. G. Clyde 
Fisher, of the American Museum of Natural History, from the 
New York Bird and Tree Club; Dr. Homer D. House, of the New 
York State Museum, from the Wild Flower Preservation Society 
of America; and Dr. M. A. Howe, of the New York Botanical 
Garden, from the Torrey Botanical Club, and also Attorney Au- 
gustus O. Bourne, Jr. 
In his report, Dr. Benedict stated that for the present the most 
practicable way to gain legal protection seemed to be the insertion 
of the word “ plants” in the Private Parks section of the State 
Conservation law. This amendment has been passed by the New 
York State Senate, but not by the Assembly. Dr. Homer D. 
House, New York State Botanist, also spoke in favor of legislation 
and showed lantern slides of some of the species needing pro- 
tection. 
In the general discussion which followed the consensus of opin- 
ion was that the most effective way to create popular sentiment in 
favor of plant conservation is through education, particularly by 
instruction of the children in the elementary and secondary schools. 
Mrs. Francke, of the North Country Garden Club, Long Island, 
reported that placards placed along the roads in the north shore 
region of Long Island asking passersby to spare the dogwood had » 
