The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-05-11
A PLEA FOR WILD FLOWERS.
The Danger That Some of Them May he Ex


The Danger That Some of Them May BE Ex-
Terminated.
The importance of protecting our forests,
wild game and native song birds is no
longer questioned, but the work begun in
these directions should include the preser-
walton of beautiful, curious and useful
plants indigenous to our woods and fields.
In many instances those who could pre-
vent their destruction are indifferent to
the rapid disappearance of wild flowers.
Among the forces active in this extermi-
nation are the woodman's AK, the drainer' S
spade the farmers pillow, the herdsman' S
sheep and the collectors trowel. There
are other causes of perhaps minor impor-
tance, which are of too much significance
to be entirely ignored. To a more enlight-
ened public opinion, the establishment of
Arbor day and to wholesome legislation
we must trust for the preservation of our
woods and Of the lowly plants that only
thrive under their shade. If the farmer S
mind were enlarged by broader culture,
he would spare a few rods Of swamp land
as nature dressed it. The lily would then
be allowed to brighten the fence row, and
the clematis, with Its feathery plumes,
might be left to drape his fences without
subjecting the owner to the charge Of shift
lessness. And as sheep Craze much closer
than any other domestic animal they are
peculiarly destructive to plant life. In
many instances they are allowed to Craze
In woodlands with other stock when they
might as well be kept in other pasturage
The species of wild plants which disap-
pear most rapidly are those possessing, or
supposed to possess, medicinal qualities,
as the blood root, sarsaparilla, orange root
and ginseng Professional root diggers
gather supplies each succeeding year from
the same section as long as the yield is
profitable. When they have SO nearly ex-
terminated the plant that the gathering no
longer proves remunerative, new fields are
sought in which to repeat their depreda-
lions. 1t Is stated that ginseng can be cul-
tivated successfully, and the production of
ginseng may yet become a paying bust
ness. Many other wild plants also admit OF
cultivation. heard complaints last Dec
Grafton day that plants such as the tril-
hum, once plentiful in this locality, are
now almost exterminated by overgather-
ing Plant collectors are charged with be-
ing largely responsible for the extermina-
ton of wild flowers, and this is perhaps
true in way. But, after all, collectors
are among the most active agents indirect
ly in perpetuating them among town and
city people by giving an opportunity to
buy them and among country people by
awakening them to the fact that native
plants are worth money and consequently
worth keeping, for many people see nc
value in anything excepting the cash value.
If wild flowers are to be saved from ex-
termination the people must be educated
to understand their beauty and usefulness.
Natural plantations in city parks make
their value known, and the florist, who is
each year adding new species to his stock
of native plants, is also a teacher. But
there is perhaps no better way in which to
reach the masses than through the country
schools. Teachers should call attention to
the marvels of plant structures and plant
life, and A or day exercises should not be
called complete until bed of wild flowers
is made part of the decoration of the
schoolyard. The daily study of the plant,
its habits and development, will prove an
efficient aid in the advancement of ele-
mentary science, source of inspiration
that will purify and make nobler the lives
of all who come within it's influence
Garden and Forest.