Wild Flowers as They Grow 



Kerner points out that the heaths are plants 

 that require a considerable amount of organic 

 matter in the soil if they are to flourish — ^bare rock 

 has no attraction for them — and, further, that their 

 own roots unaided do not supply them with the 

 necessary food from the rich soil. An intermediary 

 is required, and this is found in certain fungi which 

 attach themselves to the roots and do the work 

 of absorption for them, but in return they receive 

 back elaborated substances which have been worked 

 up in the leaves out of these same simple salts 

 handed on by the fungi. It is a case of partnership 

 for the mutual benefit of both plant and fungus. 



Tradition says that a wonderful heather beer 



was made in olden days by the Picts, who jealously 



guarded the secret of its making. When the whole 



tribe was practically exterminated by a certain 



Kenneth the Conqueror, a father and son were the 



only survivors, but were taken prisoners. Kenneth 



promised them their lives if they would teU him the 



secret of the beer, which he greatly loved. They 



198 



