SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
383 
in the marshes. We soon learn where to look for our 
favorites. In taking tramps along the roads, across the 
fields, through the woods, and into the swamps, we would 
notice along the roadside Bouncing-Bet, Common Yar- 
row, Dandelion, Thistles, and Goldenrod; in the fields 
and meadows, we would see the Ox-eye Daisy, Black- 
eyed Susan, Wild Carrot, and the most beautiful fall 
flower of the northeastern United States, the Fringed 
Gentian ; in the woods, Mountain Laurel, Pink Azalea, a 
number of wild Orchids, Maidenhair Fern, and Jack-in- 
the-Pulpit ; in the marshes, Pink Rose-mallow, which re- 
minds us of the Hollyhocks of our Grandmother’s 
garden, Pickerel-weed, Water-lily, and Marsh Marigold. 
It is natural to want to know the name of any plant 
that interests us, and this is important. As in the sub- 
ject of Birds, there are many helpful books on Flowers 
and Ferns. Beginners will find “The Flower Guide,” by 
Chester A. Reed (Doubleday, Page & Co.) to be useful. 
After a good start has been made, such books as Gray’s 
Manual , or Britton and Brown’s Illustrated Flora should 
be used. 
Our pursuit, however, should not stop with the name 
of a plant. That is a mere beginning. Even slight atten- 
tion will uncover many fascinating things in the lives of 
plants. Why can not a farmer raise a good crop of 
clover-seed without the bumble-bees? What devices are 
there among the Orchids to bring about cross-pollination ? 
(See “Our Native Orchids,” by William Hamilton Gib- 
son). Examine the flower of the wild Blue Flag, and 
see whether you can determine how the bumble-bee cross- 
pollinates this plant. Do the Hummingbirds cross- 
pollinate some flowers? In what plants is the pollen 
scattered by the wind? Do these plants produce nectar? 
How do the various plants scatter their seeds? How 
are the Hickory-nuts and Walnuts scattered? The 
