DON'T PLUCK IT 75 



has been driven out into the wilderness. One of the 

 earliest debutantes of spring, the Trailing Arbutus, is 

 disappearing. Its early arrival, its rich perfume, and 

 seductive habit of nestling and hiding among last 

 year's leaves give it an irresistible charm. The 

 trailing stem has but a weak hold on the ground, and 

 as it is extremely tough it is often carelessly torn up. 

 All who must pluck the flower should be careful to cut 

 off as little of the stem as can satisfy them, and not 

 tear up the tender roots. 



The Hepatica, with its succeeding generations of 

 flowers and leaves, is surviving the hands of the 

 spoilers. The Blood-root dies so soon that it is 

 frequently overlooked, and the Spring Beauty withers 

 so helplessly in protest that there is but little tempta- 

 tion to pluck its spray of delicate pink. A weary 

 stroller with a bunch of wilted Trilliums is a lament- 

 able spectacle. The drooping of their white or 

 painted petals is a silent appeal that should be heeded. 

 Leave them where they grow. The Harebell, with 

 its frail and delicate cups of blue, seems able to defy 

 the encroaching grass and to flower through the 

 whole summer ; but it should not be forced to fight 

 the encroachment of man as well. Many of our wild 

 Orchids are blessed with a fatal beauty. The Showy 

 Orchis is growing rare, and the Fringed Orchis still 

 rarer. The Northern Calypso, with a delicacy of form 

 and tint that always eludes the artist, is, indeed, a 



