j^mni^itticft 



-^Hhe kinnikinick is a plant pioneer. Often it is 

 W^ the first plant to make a settlement or es- 

 tablish a colony on a barren or burned-over area. 

 It is hardy, and is able to make a start and thrive 

 in places so inhospitable as to afford most plants 

 not the slightest foothold. In such places the 

 kinnikinick's activities make changes which alter 

 conditions so beneficially that in a little while 

 plants less hardy come to join the first settler. 

 The pioneer work done by the kinnikinick on a 

 barren and rocky realm has often resulted in the 

 establishment of a flourishing forest there. 



The kinnikinick, or Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi, 

 as the botanists name it, may be called a ground- 

 loving vine. Though always attractive, it is in 

 winter that it is at its best. Then its bright green 

 leaves and red berries shine among the snow- 

 flowers in a quiet way that is strikingly beauti- 

 ful. 



Since it is beautiful as well as useful, I had 



171 



