Preface 



DURING many seasons spent in the Hoosac 

 Valley, it has been a source of great pleas- 

 ure to me to trace mountain streams through 

 moss-grown ravines to their beginnings, 

 and to explore the almost inaccessible recesses of the 

 sphagnous boglands. I have found it a delight to 

 study the orchids, ferns, and various flowers sheltered 

 in their homes, far removed from the roadside. I sel- 

 dom follow any well-worn forest paths, for I have 

 observed that the rarer plants do not dwell where the 

 foot of man or the grazing herds have wandered. So 

 it happens that the walks described in these pages 

 lead mostly across lots, over hills and mountains, and 

 through swamps. 



The Hoosac Valley lies in the heart of the irregular 

 Taconic Mountains, and extends over the southwest- 

 ern part of Bennington County, Vermont, and the 

 northwestern part of Berkshire County, Massachu- 

 setts. This region has a soil peculiarly adapted to the 

 origin and growth of orchids. Here along the numer- 

 ous streams and in the little vales are many unfathom- 

 able peat and marl beds which are veritable orchid 

 gardens. The valley seems to be the common ground 

 where rare plants from the North and South, as well 



