PARK AND CEMETERY 
280 
ous use of the trowel. Blood-root, gold-thread, gold- 
en seal, and other plants of medicinal value are thus 
often sacrificed. While there may be no harm in a 
moderate draft, to take the whole of any species at 
hand is not only selfish in the extreme, but hazardous 
to the existence of the species. 
Even the most staunch admirers become oft the 
greatest enemies. Careless picking, excessive prun- 
ing, may prove fatal. The decorations of the annual 
Memorial service have in a few years depleted some 
stations of the beautiful. Christmas holly and ground 
pine signify in some instances a dearth where God 
hath given plentifully. 
One of the lofty missions of the park system is to 
create a love for the beautiful. And that plot in which 
our own trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants are 
grouped in the wild freedom of their natural arrange- 
ment is not only certain to command admiration but 
to increase the love of all beholders for nature. The 
collection is at once harmonious, graceful, simple. 
The elegance of the sweeping elm or the creamy tas- 
sels of the chestnut has never been questioned. Our 
laurel and rhododendron are among the most regal 
of shrubs. Ferns of the most exquisite cut abound 
on every side. Even the bare, stony places are con- 
cealed by the bright-berried partridge vine or the far- 
famed Mayflower. Hillside and swamp, woodland 
and meadow have each their select list, and there is no 
spot that cannot be adorned by some of the wild beau- 
ties. 
The wild garden of the amateur should be made 
with caution, and rare plants sparingly used until 
their requirements are known. An instance comes to 
mind in which a genuine flower lover made several 
attempts to transplant the beautiful false foxglove, 
Gcrardia Hava. Her efforts, always unsuccessful, 
were attributed to the fact that it grew so near the 
roots of adjacent trees that its own roots were muti- 
lated in the uplifting. Years later did she learn the 
cause of this close communion. The plant is partially 
root-parasitic ! 
A judicious blending of native plants, both com- 
mon and rare, in our parks will lead to an increase of 
knowledge of their requirements ; and the more robust 
will be chosen for private use while the rare, shy 
growers may be allowed to serve as historical land- 
marks of a flora that is speedily passing, that to bot- 
anists is so precious, and that should be to us all a 
priceless heritage. Give the American plants the pro- 
tection necessary to vigorous growth and they will 
command here the admiration already given in foreign 
lands. Bessie L. Putnam. 
A Few Jtine Flowering “Btilbs.** 
The spring flowering bulbs are over. They were 
mostly Tulips and old fashioned Daffodils — in public 
places — for it really seems that contracting planters 
know little of anything else. A search through the 
private gardens in many places gives but little more 
of variety. 
There are a number of pretty plants for June flow- 
ering in the middle states or in some cases a little later 
further north. To produce a telling effect they should 
be grouped together singly or in intersection. The 
English Yellow Iris pseudacorus is disposed to natur- 
alize on the edges of streams where I write, and 
would have become abundant long ago if allowed, 
but so soon as a yellow flower becomes noticeable it 
is pulled up and taken to the gardens where good 
sized clumps are often seen, and flourish well in com- 
paratively dry places. It is usually full of flowers 
some time during the first half of June. With a little 
care in selection some of the finer late Iris Germanica 
may be had in company with it. 
Sisyrinchium in two or three forms will thrive in 
similar moist situations. 
Gladiolus communis in both purple and white 
forms, are quite hardy to the lower lakes, and form 
handsome groups. Zephryanthes atamasco is a favor- 
ite plant in cottage gardens hereabouts. Paradisia 
liliastrum will also flower during June ; so will aspho- 
delus luteus. The gigantic Eremurus robustus, and 
several other species of comparatively recent introduc- 
tion, as well as the older species, are mostly June flow- 
ering, white, yellow, brown, reddish or rosy very 
showy plants, but little if at all grown, except pos- 
sibly in a botanical collection or two. They are 
natives of the Caucassus, Afghanistan, and the greater 
part of Gentral Asia, and most b'kely all are hardy. 
Anthericum liliago and A. ramosum are both June 
flowering and useful to mix with such lower growing 
pink flowering plants as the Zephyranthes. The blue 
flowered Allium azureum, and the yellow flowered A. 
Moly should be tried in intersection or in ribbons ; 
their scent is not commendable, but they may be de- 
pended upon for color. Scilla Hispanica may be had 
in flower in June too, together with its pink and white 
varieties. Perhaps these are best known as S. cam- 
panulata. 
Lilium tenuifolium, L. Grayi, and possibly some of 
the varieties of L. elegans, etc., may be had in flower 
during June, but the great bulk of the lilies are July 
flowering — especially northwards. The Pontederias 
will require aquatic treatment, but given that a mass 
of them is by no means to be despised in a garden. 
Both they and the Tradescantias will yield a good 
many surprises in the way of well marked varieties to 
the zealous collector. 
The whole of these plants may be grouped in a 
small space with a mass of Yucca angustifolia and Y. 
flilamentosa as a foil, and perhaps a few small dark 
leaved conifers. Such light colored foliage as that of 
the Funkias (some of which also flower in June) can- 
not have a better setting. J. MacP. 
