A SUCCESSFUL e;xperiment. 51 



A Successful Experiment. 



BY SUSY C. FOGG. 



The Botanical Section of the Institute has recently in- 

 troduced what I trust may prove a permanent and instruc- 

 tive feature in its ever-broadening scope of work. 



In the latter part of May, and on July i, successful ex- 

 hibitions were held of our native wild flowers.. Both 

 months favored an abundance of flowers and ferns, with a 

 complete change between the two. 



At the May exhibit the violet table was especially at- 

 tractive, also the flowering shrubs, and so many of the 

 commonest flowers en masse that it seems hardly right to 

 discriminate. In July the various orchids and aquatic 

 plants reached a stage of perfection. 



Now, to whatever schools, institutions or communities 

 Nature Study bears a message, let us recommend this 

 mode of popularizing the natural sciences. 



Collections in any line would be instructive, but those 

 of insects or fresh wild flowers might be more easily ob- 

 tained and quite as attractive as any. The tables may be 

 made as dainty with delicate coverings and glasses as means 

 •and time will allow, much artistic skill may be shown in 

 the arrangement of flowers and they should be plainl)- la- 

 beled with common and scientific names and that of famil}^ 

 A good quotation or note as to habitat, whether rare, etc., 

 adds interest. 



Kvery year increases the appreciation of life, vegetable 

 and animal, and we should grow reluctant to destroy that 

 life unless we can increase it or, at least, encourage its re- 

 placement by more favorable conditions. 



We must teach the boj's and girls, first to observe, sec- 

 ondly to appreciate , and finally, to make the right use of 

 the lesser lives over wdiicli they may have control. In what 



