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drain many swamps and convert them into park lands in which 
many native flowers could flourish. 
When the movement for the protection of birds was at its 
height, a veritable wave of sentiment extended throughout the 
country. Many societies were organized for their protection, 
magazines devoted much attention to their preservation, and 
many books were written on the subject. At length, the bird 
lovers realized that the arousing of public sentiment had gained 
such headway, that they finally secured the enactment of laws 
a 
had the birds spared to them. If this can be done for birds, 
there is no reason why a campaign as far reaching in its effects 
cannot be begun in behalf of our wild flowers and forests. In the 
movement for protection of native plants, steps have already 
been taken to arouse public sentiment, but this has not yet been 
sufficiently broad to assert itself in legislative enactment, al- 
though some legislation on plant and flower protection is even 
now highly desirable. 
Land owners should also be encouraged to post trespass signs, 
warning the public against the picking of flowers from their 
property, just as they now post signs forbidding hunting and 
shooting on their lands. This would have the double effect of 
preserving the flowers as well as the educational value of impress- 
ing the public with the worthy aim and necessity for guarding 
the wild flowers against extinction. The custom of going into 
the fields and woods to gather flowers is of ancient origin, but 
with proper steps, this custom could be materially and gradually 
changed. Trespassing signs will in some instances be unheeded, 
but in the majority of cases the sign will carry double weight. 
Many plants and flowers must of necessity be destroyed, be- 
cause of man’s g advance upon new or unused territory. 
Vast areas of plant-life are in this way destroyed in comparatively 
short time. Timber is cut from farm lands for fuel, or to clear 
the land for crops. Marshes, swamps and low lands are drained 
and improved. Owners of large estates destroy plants and trees 
growing on their property, changing the natural beauty into an 
