STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 



of the succulent and welcome leaves of the Garlic. The 

 milk of the cows becomes so strongly flavored with the dis- 

 agreeable odor of the oily vegetable that the milk and 

 butter are rejected, and can only be used by persons who 

 are indifferent to the nature of their food; the generality of 

 people turn away with a feeling of disgust from leeky butter 

 and leeky milk. It is, however, a consolation to the thrifty 

 farmer to know that, like many other evils, it has its pallia- 

 tive. The cows and oxen, that have been brought low in flesh 

 and strength during the long, hard winter, are speedily 

 restored to health by feasting upon this otherwise objection- 

 able food. 



It is a pleasant plant to the eye, the rich verdure of the 

 broad succulent leaves springing so freshly where all was 

 barren and unsightly; and, later in the season, the tall 

 heads of pretty pale blossoms are not without attraction, 

 though not nice to place in a bouquet of sweeter flowers. 



Before so many extensive tracts of forest had been cut 

 down the Wild Garlic was to be found in all beech and 

 maple woods. But it is becoming very rare, and one hears 

 no more complaints of leeky milk and butter. 



PHLOX Phlox divaricata (L.). 



We have in Canada several species of this family, and 

 all are worthy of cultivation. Phlox divaricata is found on 

 dry grassy wastes by forest roads, in shady spots. It is a 

 plant of slender growth, about twelve or eighteen inches 

 high, with slender lanceolate pointed leaves somewhat clasp- 

 ing the stem; flowers in a flat spreading head terminal on 

 the slightly-stalked branches; corolla salver-shaped, prim- 

 rose-like; calyx with slender pointed sepals; color of the 

 petals pale lilac, scalloped at the edges. It is an elegant 



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