STURDY SURVIVORS 



dotted with myriads of small, white, starry 

 flowers. I have found it in bloom in northern 

 Ohio thirteen months in succession, but that is 

 a rare experience, for though it may be found 

 in early January, the proverbial cold of the 

 lengthening days of February usually de- 

 stroys it. Others of the list are Red Clover, 

 Self-heal, Dead-Nettie, Shepherd's-Purse, Pep- 

 per-grass, the Sow-Thistles, and the Dande- 

 lion. The last two are usually the latest to 

 succumb. 



The Sow- Thistles have marvellous vitality. 

 Often in November a single plant, either a seed- 

 ling or a sprout from a dying root, looks as green, 

 bright, and hopeful as in midsummer; finally, 

 when every flower is gone the erect stem holds 

 up an adorable cluster of tawny pompons, capa- 

 ble of withstanding the storms of winter itself. 

 The Dandelion, which possesses one of the most 

 beautiful flowers ever vouchsafed to an un- 

 grateful world, lives long, struggles bravely 

 against principalities and powers, but at last 

 succumbs. When I search the lawns and fields 



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