§ THE GARDEN BOOK OF CALIFORNIA 



impossible within the limitations of this book to tell just 

 how to secure all kinds of wild flower seed, for each variety 

 has habits and peculiarities of its own. For instance, the 

 poppies are furnished by nature with a power to scatter their 

 seed, and so having gathered a quantity of nearly ripe pods, 

 and put them in the sun to further ripen, I was dismayed 

 to find that they "popped" all over creation, and never a 

 one could I recall. Experience is the best teacher. I 

 learned to study the nature of the particular plant desired, 

 sometimes using a bit of netting to imprison the pods, and 

 sometimes gathering them early and putting them into glass- 

 covered boxes that could be sunned. 



As a rule seeds keep best in paper, which absorbs moist- 

 ure, while tin or wood are apt to attract it. Care to keep 

 them from insects is necessary, too. The most unique col- 

 lections may be made, however, in your spring-time walks, 

 and another season one of the chief charms of your garden 

 may come from these plants gathered by yourself. Remem- 

 ber, that as you go into the canyons there are exquisite ferns 

 and mosses to be had for the gathering. Usually they 

 should be gathered as they are "drying off" in the late 

 spring, but should be located when they are at their best. 



Now do I hear some one say that I am advocating the 

 ravishing of the hillsides for the sake of the garden? Oh, 

 no! I would not be misunderstood. These dainty wild 

 things are being steadily destroyed by the encroachments of 

 fields, and of towns. What I wish is, that intelligent people 

 shall become acquainted with, and preserve in their own 



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