HINTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. 
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form part of the indigenous vegetation. The problems connected 
with plant-distribution, and Nature’s ways of working them out, 
are full of interest ; but if human agency is deliberately employed, 
the interest ceases. Yet this is sometimes done, even by 
members of Natural History Societies, who certainly ought to 
know better. Quite lately the flora of Hampstead Heath and 
the botany of Keston Bog have been enriched in this manner ; 
and we were ourselves unwilling spectators of the “ planting 
out ” of Butterwort and Grass of Parnassus in a New Forest bog. 
(We also had the satisfaction of following in the tracks of the 
planter and of endeavouring to remove the traces of his unholy 
work — but this by the way.) 
We hope also that Selbornians will do their share towards 
extending to others the benefits of the country holiday which 
they themselves so keenly appreciate. In this connection we 
would earnestly commend to those who are not yet acquainted 
wdth it the admirable “Children’s Country Holiday Fund,” 
which has now for many years sent London children to country 
villages for a fortnight or more at a time, and in 1891 extended 
its benefits to no fewer than 25,615 children. If holiday-makers 
would, as part of their holiday expenses, send fifteen shillings to 
the Secretary of the Fund (Mr. Cyril Jackson) at the Offices, 10, 
Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., the work of the organisation 
would be greatly promoted ; or they may obtain from him the 
Report for 1891, the perusal of which will, we think, certainly 
result in the forwarding of a donation. We have not space to 
summarise this here, or to give any account of the excellent 
arrangements made : the following paragraph is all we can find 
room for : — 
Each year that the Fund grows more children learn about the country, and 
there must be fewer left who have never seen a cow milked or fruit grow. There 
are still, however, many who know nothing of rural life but from books, and 
there must be in every village tales to be gleaned from the cottagers of their 
little visitors’ amazed wonder in the discovery of the new realms of nature. It is. 
pleasant to read of the children picking fruit, and coining back laden with 
country produce, or bringing flowers for the lady in London who sent them away, 
or a present for the school museum. It is gratifying to find how London parents 
begin to appreciate the holiday. In Camberwell a number saved the whole sum 
through the Committee, and were enabled to send their children away themselves ; 
and in East St. Pancras a grateful mother saved £i for her own child and for 
some poorer one ; while from Nolting Hill comes a touching story of a coachman’.s 
child, who knew the country delights herself, saving 7s. gd., all in pence, for a 
poor child who had never been. 
Yet one more suggestion. Those who have large gardens 
can give more pleasure than they can imagine, by sending from 
time to time a basket of flowers to some hospital or workhouse. 
“ Those that can wander at will where the works of the Lord are revealed. 
Little guess what joy can be got from a cowslip out of the field : 
Flowers to those ‘ spirits in prison ’ are all they can know of the spring. 
They freshen and sweeten the wards like the waft of an angel’s wing.” 
The Kyrle Society, and many other organisations, take up 
this work : but we are sorry to gather from the last Kyrle 
Report that it is not making much progress. We read : — 
