STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 
Chamberlin, a beloved relative, to whose artistic taste and 
talents the author is greatly indebted. She is conscious 
that many imperfections will be found in this volume, the 
contents of which have been written at intervals during a 
long series of years, many of which were marked by trials 
such as fell to the lot of the early colonists and backwoods 
settlers, and others of a more afflicting nature, which 
required patience and faith to bear and to say, “Thy will 
be done, O Lord.” 
There is a common little weed that is known by the familiar 
name of Carpetweed, a small Polygonum, that grows at our 
doors and often troubles us to root up, from its persevering 
habits and wiry roots. It is crushed by the foot and bruised, 
but springs up again as if unharmed beneath our tread, and 
flourishes under all circumstances, however adverse. This 
little plant had lessons to teach me, and gave courage when 
trials pressed hard upon me. The simplest weed may thus 
give strength if we use the lesson rightly and look up to 
Him who has pointed us to that love which has clothed the 
grass of the field and cared for the preservation of even the 
lowliest of the herbs and weeds. Will He not also care for 
the creature made in His own image? Such are the teachings 
which Christ gave when on earth. Such teachings are still 
taught by the flowers of the field. 
Mothers of Canada, teach your children to know and love 
the wild flowers springing in their path, to love the soil in 
which God’s hand has planted them, and in all their after 
wanderings through the world their hearts will turn back 
with loving reverence to the land of their birth, to that dear 
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