EDITORIAL. 
From many parts of the Xorthern and Eastern States, come re- 
ports of such frequent and copious rains that the cultivators of 
the soil despair of securing their usual crops. In the valley where 
the Botanist is published it has rained nearly every day for three 
months. Discouraging as such weather must be to the farmer, 
and the botanist, they may gain some small consolation from the 
reflection that this is a great year for nature's wild crops. Trees, 
shrubs and herbs are growing vigorously and getting a start that 
will not soon be lost. The autumn show of asters and golden- 
rods promises to be unrivalled and ferns are looking better than 
thev have for vears. 
Those who intend to have a bed of wildflowers in their garden 
next spring may be advised that no time should be lost in looking 
up the plants in field and wood. All traces of such plants as the 
adders tongues, spring beauties and Dutchman's breeches, have 
probably disappeared, but the violets, trilliums, blood-root, Solo- 
mon's seal and others may still be found. Among wild plants 
that are best suited for shady gardens may be named the colum- 
bine, the wild lilies, the lung^vort, mitrewort, coltsfoot, Jack-in- 
the- pulpit, hepatica and the anemones. 
It was found impossible to get the illustrations for the propos- 
ed key to the wildflowers ready for this issue and as the key, when 
ready, will run through several numbers, it is thought best to post- 
pone its publication for a few issues until all the matter is ready. 
It is interesting to observ e the different ways in which our two 
societies for the protection of plants go about the business in hand. 
The original "Society for the Protection of Xative Plants," has 
already issued six leaflets calling attention to the plants that need 
protection and suggesting means of protecting them. The latest 
publication is a poster which is sent free to anyone who will place 
it in a conspicuous place. Membership in this society costs noth- 
