RED LILY; WOOD LILY 



Lilium montanum A. Nels. 

 LILY FAMILY 



The Red Lily, in slightly different forms, is common in many 

 districts from Ontario to Alberta. It grows in open woods, 

 among bushes, and along roadsides in rather dry soil. Usually 

 each leafy stem is crowned by a single red, or orange-red flower, 

 although vigorous plants may produce two, three, or even five 

 in a cluster. 



Admired for its beauty, and easily found because of its large 

 size and vivid color, the Red Lily is eagerly gathered. In rural 

 homes and schools it may be seen in great bunches packed into 

 vases, cans, or pails. Town and city dwellers returning from an 

 evening's run into the country or from a First of July excursion 

 have their arms, one might almost say their cars, filled with the 

 bright blossoms. The country for miles around is stripped. 

 Those who gaily picked them had probably a hazy idea that wild 

 flowers just happen, and in some way will always happen. But 

 into the flower the plant puts its supreme effort, an effort that 

 leaves the roots lax and depleted. Their energy can be restored 

 only by the work of the leaves during the Summer. These Lilies 

 and many other flowers are pulled up or broken off with all their 

 leaves attached, hence the roots in their weakened condition 

 either die or at best require several years to regain strength 

 enough to produce more flowers. 



The beautiful wild flowers are the culmination of Nature's 

 efforts applied to plant life through millions of years* They should 

 be the heritage of mankind for all time, but the choicest are in 

 danger of disappearing in a single generation. We have learned 

 to hunt song-birds with field-glass and camera instead of a gun. 

 Let us learn to enjoy wild flowers where they grow. Each has 

 aMife story well worth reading, legible to the patient and sym- 

 pathetic^observer. 



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