The Society for the Preservation of Native New England Sent to the 
Plants urges you not to use the Mountain Laurel Kalmia lati- Churches 
folia, for your Christmas decorations. Of late years this plant of Massa- 
has been used to such an extent that there is grave danger of its chusetts by 
extermination if the practice continues, and we ask you to use Mrs. S. V. 
as a substitute garlands of white Pine, as all Pine grown for R. Crosby 
timber is benefited by having its lower branches cut. Under 
present conditions we might paraphrase the familiar quotation 
by saying that our woodlands are being ''butchered to make a 
Christmas holiday," and we feel that if the churches will set the 
example of refusing to use the Laurel that individuals will 
follow suit. 
(Note — Could not the other Zones follow Mrs. Crosby's splendid plan, 
as this is the season when the churches arrange for their Christmas dec- 
orations.) 
The Garden Club of Philadelphia has had five minute talks 
on wild flowers at their meetings for the past two years, given 
by members of the Wild Flower Committee, of which Mrs. Wil- 
liam Redwood Wright is the Chairman. Mrs. Wright has very 
kindly consented to allow us to print some of these, of which the 
following is timely: 
Melilotus Alba 
Melilotus (from the Greek meaning Honey -Lotus) is also 
called white Melilot, Sweet Clover, Tree Clover and white 
Bokhara. It was introduced from Europe during colonial days 
and is a native of Asia, but has become naturalized from Canada 
to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. 
There is also a yellow variety, M. officinalis, not quite so tall or 
vigorous but equally beneficent, for this plant, as an immigrant, 
has "made good." It grows luxuriantly on all waste places, 
dump heaps and on the cinder banks of railroads thus retain- 
ing the soil. Prom being fought as a weed it has become an 
asset to the farmer who understands it. Its bloom, following 
the white Clover, is invaluable to the beekeeper not only as a 
honey crop but also for brood rearing because it flowers till 
frost. The honey is very clear in color with a rich flavor 
produced by the cucarin contained in the plant. This cucarin 
when extracted is used as a substitute for vanilla. It is depend- 
able as a crop, be the season wet or dry. 
The plant is a biennial bearing its bright green leaves till 
frost the first year, and throwing up its branching flower stalks 
six to ten feet, the next year and blooming in July. Its root 
system is very extensive and it inoculates the soil. It will grow 
where nothing else will in the alkali lands of Colorado and 
California. Horses, cattle, sheep and hogs relish it when first 
in bloom and it later makes sufficient seeds to sow itself. Hay 
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