THE WILD FLOWER PRESERVA- 

 TION SOCIETY OF AMERICA. 



The increased interest in nature 

 study developed within recent years, 

 and stimulated by numerous illustrated 

 books of a popular nature, has unfor- 

 tunately endangered the existence of 

 many ornamental wild plants that 

 would otherwise have escaped public 

 notice. The problem presented is how 

 these depredations may be checked 

 without seriously restricting- the free- 

 dom or enjoyment of the nature-lover. 

 Local societies having this aim in 

 view have been established in several 

 places, and various articles on the sub- 

 ject have appeared in magazines and 

 newspapers; these are all usefull fac- 

 tors in arousing a healthy public senti- 

 ment against indiscriminate and 

 thoughtless flower-picking. But it is 

 evident that the successful prosecu- 

 tion of a campaign of this kind re- 

 quires a central body which shall direct 

 and inspire the work; and it also re- 

 quires some official medium of publi- 

 cation. The organization of a national 

 society along these lines, effected on 

 April 23, 1902, while it represents to a 

 certain extent the growth of popular 

 sentiment, is the direct result of the re- 

 marks by Dr. F. H. Knowlton in his 

 essay, "Suggestions for the Preserva- 

 tion of Our Native Plants," which was 

 awarded the .first prize In the recent 

 competition held by the New York Bo- 

 tanical Garden with the income of the 

 Caroline and Olivia Phelps-Stokes 

 fund. A few paragraphs from the es- 

 say iteelf will serve as a partial ex- 

 planation of the aims and objects of the 

 Society: 



"It seems to me that all legitimate ef- 

 fort that can be made for the conserva- 

 tion of the native flora is naturally di- 

 visible into tw T o fields: First, the broad- 

 er, higher plane of enlightened public 

 sentiment regarding the protection of 

 plants in general and; second, the im- 

 mediate steps that must be taken to 

 save certain of the m-ore showy or in- 

 teresting forms now threatened with 

 extermination, The first is something 

 we rnay reasonably hope for, even if it 

 comes slowly; the second is a practical 

 question that must be solved quickly or 

 it will be too late. * * * The public 



must be educated up to the point when 

 it will be possible for them to enjoy 

 the flowers and plants of field and for- 

 est without destroying them. They 

 must be led to see that it is only\ self- 

 ishness which prompts the indiscrim- 

 inate plucking of every bright-colored 

 flower or shapely fern that attracts 

 their eye. A walk afield, enlivened by 

 the presence of flowers and birds, leaves 

 behind a memory that may be cher- 

 ished for years. The ruthless breaking 

 up of this rounded symmetry of nature, 

 simply for the gratification of the mo- 

 ment, leaves a void impossible to fill." 

 * * * * 



The proposed fields of labor of the So- 

 ciety may be summarized as folllows: 



EDUCATION.— The primary and sec- 

 ondary -schools afford abundant oppor- 

 tunity for missionary work'. Let every 

 teacher aim to impress on the pupils 

 under his charge the beauty and value 

 of plant life. Let him give some in- 

 struction in the differences between 

 native species, many of which are rare 

 Oi' easily destroyed, and the introduced 

 weeds, most of which are so sturdy 

 and abundant that they will survive 

 wholesale plucking. 



MORAL SUASION.— Public senti- 

 ment can be influenced to a large ex- 

 tent by articles in newspapers and 

 magazines, if the subject-matter is 

 well presented. The establishment of 

 a press bureau by the Society is ex- 

 pected to facilitate this work. • 



PUBLIC PARKS.— Many cities have 

 set apart for public use and enjoyment 

 various tracts of land distinguished for 

 the beauty of their scenery oar vegeta- 

 tion. This is one of the most effective 

 means of preserving plants from de- 

 struction, and local chapters will be 

 formed to work on this line. 



LEGISLATION.— In some few in- 

 stances it may be advisable to invoke 

 such legislation as protects the Hart- 

 ford fern in Connecticut. This, howev- 

 er, is a last resort, aid should only be 

 employed in emergencies where all 

 other measures for protection have 

 failed. 



FORESTRY. 



President Benjamin Ide Wheeler, of 

 the University of California, announces 



