Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

10o the amateur nature enthusiast
aiming to acquaint himself with
the elementary facts of botany
& nothing is source of greater diff
tculty' and perpIexity than the names of
plants found in the great outdoors. For
this reason ii is most practical when
studying to begin with the plants in the
immediate vicinity of ones own city and
with single division Of plant life. as. for
instance the trees or the wild flowers.
BY following such plan one will soon
find that few trips outdoors will bring
their reward in this way; one Will know
a great many facts about one thing and
not a little bit about the plant world in
general In other words. the scientific
botanist recommends definite purpose
for country rambles and suggests that
they be not mere saunterings in woods
or fields.
3
Anew world is seen opened to the student
who follows this advice The names OF
the plants lead to a knowledge OF the
families OF plants: this in turn will lead
to their lives and habits. and it becomes
fascinating study. One learns that flow
ers are especially constructed to accom-
mediate the exact length OF the bees
tongue or the butterfy's legs: that plants
have as their strongest desire the per
petuation OF their own species and 10 TINS
end are completely equipped Tor pro-
lection any animal and that an inter
dependence OF plants and animals EXISTS
which is one Of the surest revelations OF
the infinite and mystic breath or NE
which ceulents the parts of the universe
The environs of Washington are full OF
varieties OF plants-trees, shrubs. wild
flowers, NOSES and ferns. To hold even
the commonest OF these varieties in one
mind Is stupendous feat, but once ac-
complished. il leads ever onward. Most
people have d good nucleus for plant
knowledge around which 10 accumulate
more The love Of nature seems Inn
planted within the human heart There IS
no DENYING that things out OF doors call
irresistibiy. And tree students II is said,
become as enthusiastic as bird students
The streets OF Washington are the right
full places for beginners. bordering al
mos, every capital thoroughfare is line
Of trees. some common others imported
varieties. BY noticing these one soon ac-
quires deeper interest And then the
real holidays come when the woods are
sought and truly inspiring lessons are
learned in the real out Of doors Of nature.
The tree families are well represent
ed here. The deciduous varieties.
meaning those which shed their leaves.
are especially abundant. OF course. the
oaks are In manifold numbers 49, the
Spanish. pin. single, black jack. swamp
white. red. black. burr, post and white.
These are everywhere and they have
venerable history. IS acorn bearing
trees they were praised in oidsn times
as food givers. the wood was the chief
material Of the primitive home. the
heart OF the tree made the Norseman's
boat. which even northern sea storms
could not wrench apart: the Druids
held their ancient rites in OAK groves:
the yule log was oak offered 10 YaiouI.
Jiic Celtic god of fire.
the naples have taken a hold on
Washingtou'S fancy. and IL is true that
they have iuRratiated themselves with
the country at large. They are well de-
serving popularity, despite their nick
name. lazy mans tree" which they
are called because they grow very
hardly and quickly from seed or shoot.
The red silver and Norway are the best
known naples around the city.
Elm trees are known 10 every one.
and at this time they are In state OF
exquisite summer luxuriance. This is