CHAPTER xxi 
COLLECTING 
I must confess I am half inclined to open and conclude 
this chapter with the words “Don’t collect,” but then one 
reflects that after all there are two methods of collecting, 
one of which is valuable and the other detestable. The 
man or woman, or boy or girl, who digs up a rare plant 
or fern when found, and carries it off, either to plant it 
in some garden, or to press it for his store, deserves to 
sleep on stinging nettles, for, if left, it might grow and 
multiply, and give pleasure to hundreds. On the other 
hand, it is legitimate enough to carry off the flower, for 
the plant will produce more, and with it the character- 
istic leaves necessary to make sure of its identity. Never 
carry away a plant which is either beautiful or rare; 
those that are common and ugly you will not wish to. 
You may argue that the root is also important, some- 
times, as in the bulbous buttercup. Well, there are 
plenty of buttercups, so one root may be conceded to 
your scientific interest; but if the plant is rare you must 
leave the root alone as sacred. The trowel is as un- 
sportsmanlike a weapon for the amateur plant-hunter as 
a gun for a fox-hunter. You can get all your pleasure 
without it, and leave more for other people. If you want 
to try botanical experiments, and need whole plants, 
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