What Is Happening to the Wild Flowers 149 



which we admire for its delicate leaves and colors. It is 

 cut and brought in from the country in huge bundles to 

 supply the florists. The time will come when these decora- 

 tions can no longer be had if the men are allowed to cut all 

 they can find. Just as in the case of the flowers, seekers 

 for them will be obliged to go farther each year and by and 

 by the shrubs will be so scarce and high priced that we shall 

 be obUged to do without them. 



We hunt far and wide for the beautiful "holly berries", 

 with which to decorate our homes at Christmas. When 

 we have found a berry-laden bush, we eagerly break off the 

 branches and bear them home in triumph. The bush, once 

 so gay with berries, is a sad-looking thing when we are 

 through with it. The branches are broken so far back 

 that next year it will bear few berries and we shall have to 

 seek another. 



We treat the beautiful earth on which we have been 

 placed in a most thoughtless manner. We think only of 

 what we want now, and forget that another year is coming 

 in which also we shall want some of the earth's treasures. 

 If we take only the surplus which each year produces, there 

 will always be enough for us and for the people who hve 

 after us. 



