THE USES OF ADVERSITY 55 



associations with human folk they have philosophically 

 adapted themselves to changes of moods and will ac- 

 commodate themselves to circumstances. Other wildings 

 are not so hardy, the shock of transplanting and the 

 absence of wild earth, of decayed leaves, or undisturbed 

 soil, trouble their nerves, and rather than keep up a piti- 

 ful struggle they give up the ghost and vanish from the 

 ken of society. 



A tragedy comes to pass in woodland life when some 

 well-meaning flower lover uproots hepaticas, trilliums, 

 columbine, wild flowers, and all the pretty folk, carries 

 them withering in a basket, and strives to make them 

 adorn the earth in prim rows in a flower bed ; but if one is 

 so fortunate as to own a corner of waste woodland, or a 

 ravine, then wild-flower planting is an opportunity. 



There we may scatter with lavish hands the seeds of 

 partridge berry, broom and furze, plant sweetbrier, witch- 

 hazel, wild roses and wild crab, and root beelwort, Solo- 

 mon's seal, and Jack-in-the-pulpit. Thunder storms may 

 shatter the elements, but a wild-flower garden of this kind 

 will laugh it to scorn and become a haven for wild beauties 

 of feathers and of fur as well as of flowers of the earth. 



