FOREWORD 



e TW TATIVE PLANTS" is a term familiar to all. Native 



^^ plants have been and are being used in gardens in 

 many ways, some as isolated plants because of some 

 intrinsic quality of the plant itself, others in groups for the 

 purpose of producing a desirable naturalistic effect. In both 

 these ways and many others it has meant an appreciation of 

 the plants which have grown up about us through no effort 

 on our part. About these there is much to learn. 



The main purpose of this study is to add to that phase of 

 our knowledge, which will tend toward the conservation of 

 these plants. Conservation means greater utilization through 

 wiser utilization. It is to increase the enjoyment of our 

 native plants, and to increase their value by contributing to 

 a greater understanding of nature's creations. We need to 

 know more about what to plant, and where to plant in order 

 that the trees, shrubs, and herbs may be placed in their proper 

 environment. Correct environmental planting will insure 

 greater success and lessen the destruction of plants. Also it 

 will insure greater accuracy in the character of naturalistic 

 effects. 



The term "plant ecology" may be unfamiliar to some. To 

 those we may say it is the term applied to the study of plant 

 forms in relation to their environment. Environment includes 

 atmospheric conditions, soils, water, and other plants, — for 

 plants too are a part of the environment. 



In motoring through any country one is conscious of exposed 

 rocky hillsides, of moist ravines, swamps filled with cat-tails 

 and forests of evergreen or deciduous trees. If one stops to 

 analyze nature's planting, it is found that the plants are 

 arranged in definite groups, that is certain plants are associ- 



