32 NATURE STUDY. 



It may be that we recall the persistent but often 

 vain efforts to eradicate the dandelion from our lawn. 

 Now that we understand better the resources of the 

 plant, we are not much surprised that we were defeated 

 in our struggle with it. Perhaps we have noticed how 

 the dandelion accompanies man in his conquest over 

 nature ; seems to thrive best in the vicinity of man. 

 It is, in some degree, dependent on or affected by man. 



Are we still young enough, in heart, to enjoy tell- 

 ing time as we did in childhood, by seeing how many 

 "blows" it takes to scatter all the seeds in a head; 

 or, by a similar process trying to -discover " whether 

 mother wants us " ? Perhaps we have not forgotten 

 how to make dandelion curls and dandelion chains. 

 The dandelions were close to us and dear to us in our 

 childhood days. 



Has the thought come to us that the despised wayside 

 weed is more to man than medicine or food or a plant- 

 pest or a plaything ; that it may have a higher function 

 or use for man ? Have we appreciated the beauty of its 

 contrasting green and gold, and the exquisite delicacy 

 of its cluster of seeds ? Why is it, like hosts of other 

 weeds, so pretty ? Its beauty is not essential for seed- 

 making. Why is it that 



"Dandelion through the meadow makes 

 A royal road with seals of gold" ? 



Why is it that among the flowers, the 



"Stars that in earth's firmament do shine," 



