STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 



Chamberlin, a beloved relative, to whose artistic taste and 

 talents the author is greatly indebted. She is conscious 

 that many imperfections will be found in this volume, the 

 contents of which have been written at intervals during a 

 long series of years, many of which were marked by trials 

 such as fell to the lot of the early colonists and backwoods 

 settlers, and others of a more afflicting nature, which 

 required patience and faith to bear and to say, " Thy will 

 be done, O Lord." 



There is a common little weed that is known by the familiar 

 name of Carpetweed, a small Polygonum, that grows at our 

 doors and often troubles us to root up, from its persevering 

 habits and wiry roots. It is crushed by the foot and bruised, 

 but springs up again as if unharmed beneath our tread, and 

 flourishes under all circumstances, however adverse. This 

 little plant had lessons to teach me, and gave courage when 

 trials pressed hard upon me. The simplest weed may thus 

 give strength if we use the lesson rightly and look up to 

 Him who has pointed us to that love which has clothed the 

 grass of the field and cared for the preservation of even the 

 lowliest of the herbs and weeds. Will He not also care for 

 the creature made in His own image? Such are the teachings 

 which Christ gave when on earth. Such teachings are still 

 taught by the flowers of the field. 



Mothers of Canada, teach your children to know and love 

 the wild flowers springing in their path, to love the soil in 

 which God's hand has planted them, and in all their after 

 wanderings through the world their hearts will turn back 

 with loving reverence to the land of their birth, to that dear 



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