PREFACE 



The plants pictured and described in thia little book are for the most 

 part quite common in Western Canada. With a territory so vast and varied 

 in character as is ours, the reader will not expect to find them all in his own 

 neighborhood, but he will find many of them, also others quite as beautiful 

 and interesting. He may regret that some favorite flower is not included, 

 but he may be sure that his regret is shared by the author who found it difficult 

 to make the final selection. No two persons would have made an identical 

 choice, still, it is believed that representative plants from all parts of the 

 West except the extreme North and the Pacific slope have been included. 



In a general way the plants are arranged according to their time of bloom, 

 beginning with the early flowers of Spring. But owing to the extent of our 

 counti y, to local conditions of soil and exposure, and to variations in weather 

 from year to year, it is impossible to be exact as to either order or dates. 

 Still, for a work of this kind, it was felt to be the best arrangement. 



In writing of western wild flowers one meets the difficulty that many of 

 them have as yet no generally recognized common name. Such names as 

 far as possible have been hunted out and used. In some cases they lack 

 definiteness, as where a common generic name has come into use and is applied 

 loosely to any one or to all of the several species. To accurately identify 

 the flower the botanical name is also given. As the photographs together 

 with the notes on size, color, and habitat are believed to be quite sufficient 

 to enable the reader to recognize any of the plants, it has not been thought 

 necessary or desirable to give detailed technical descriptions. 



The landscape pictures are introduced to give variety of interest and to 

 direct attention to the fascinating subject of plant societies. 



To know the name of a flower is, of course, but a preliminary to acquain- 

 tance. It is hoped that the presentation of certain facts in the life history 

 of these plants may lead readers to more attentively observe the plants 

 about them to notice how they adapt themselves in structure and habit 

 to their environment, how they bravely meet vicissitudes of fortune, how 

 eagerly they take advantage of favorable opportunities, and how marvelously 

 in form and service they and the insects are interrelated and mutually depend- 

 ent. Refeience to these subjects has been much curtailed by limitation of 

 space but this is not necessarily a disadvantage. Were an attempt made to 

 give the whole life history of each plant it would be attended by two dangers: 

 first, its length might discourage many casual readers; and second, the more 

 interested might be tempted to study the written story rather than the living 

 plant. Hence, the endeavor has been to make the brief text stimulative 

 and suggestive. 



May we all find in the contemplation of the manifold beauties and wonders 

 of Nature fresh joy, quickened sympathy, and enlarged outlook on life. 



W. C. McCALLA. 



Glenbrook Farm, 



Bremner, Alberta, 

 May, 1920. 



