vm PREFACE 



The changes made on flowers by the constant visiting of insects 

 or by man's agency are of great interest to children ; and such facts 

 prepare them to understand the great fact that life in plant or in 

 animal is not fixed, but, within certain limits, plastic. JIany a 

 reformer, grown weary in the task of lifting human nature, has 

 got fresh heart from this discovery. The limits of change, naiTow 

 in the plant and animal, are wide indeed when we rise to him who 

 has been made in the image of God. 



Two conditions have to be observed by him who would improve 

 a plant. He must find out the laws of the plant's life, and he 

 must obey these laws. By doing this we are making our garden 

 plants more beautiful year by year ; and the day is coming when 

 we shall attempt with the same reverent obedience to the facts to 

 beautify the garden wherein the plants are men and women. 



The introductory chapter is meant for teachers, parents and 

 senior scholars. 



The drawings are from the pencil of Mr. Wm. Huddlestone. 



W. G. 



