DON'T PLUCK IT 
75 
has been driven out into the wilderness* One of the 
earliest debutantes of spring, the Trailing Arbutus, is 
disappearing* Its early arrival, its rich perfume, and 
seductive habit of nestling and hiding among last 
year's leaves give it an irresistible charm* The 
trailing stem has but a weak hold on the ground, and 
as it is extremely tough it is often carelessly torn up* 
All who must pluck the flower should be careful to cut 
off as little of the stem as can satisfy them, and not 
tear up the tender roots* 
The Hepatica, with its succeeding generations of 
flowers and leaves, is surviving the hands of the 
spoilers* The Blood-root dies so soon that it is 
frequently overlooked, and the Spring Beauty withers 
so helplessly in protest that there is but little tempta- 
tion to pluck its spray of delicate pink* A weary 
stroller with a bunch of wilted Trilliums is a lament- 
able spectacle* The drooping of their white or 
painted petals is a silent appeal that should be heeded* 
Leave them where they grow* The Harebell, with 
its frail and delicate cups of blue, seems able to defy 
the encroaching grass and to flower through the 
whole summer ; but it should not be forced to fight 
the encroachment of man as well* Many of our wild 
Orchids are blessed with a fatal beauty* The Showy 
Orchis is growing rare, and the Fringed Orchis still 
rarer* The Northern Calypso, with a delicacy of form 
and tint that always eludes the artist, is, indeed, a 
