FERNDALE NURSERY—ASKOV, MINNESOTA, 1937 
11 
Wild Flowers 
When the early pioneers took possession of this vast wilderness, known 
as North America, they found it replete with a luxuriant growth of native 
plants. Throughout the vast wooded section grew, not only the stately Pine 
and Oak, but also the dainty little Houstonia and Hepatica, the Trillium, 
Bloodroot, Gentian, Violet and a myriad of others. In the ccol moist bogs and 
marshes grew not only the towering Cedar and Tamarack but also the 
Cypripedium and Pitcher plant, while over the boundless prairie were found 
almost innumerable sun-loving flowering plants and throughout grew ferns 
in endless variety. 
But we have cut down the forest, drained the bogs and the plow has 
turned the prairie sod under to make room for agriculture. And, as if to 
complete the destruction of wild life, fire has swept the whole section time 
and again. The native plants have been crowded farther and farther back 
into inaccessible nooks and wastelands where they are now making a last 
stand in face of destruction. 
Many of these wild plants bear flowers of indescribable beauty and 
