FERNS 



Here I can rest llirou^h llie long winter time; 



AMien the robins call, 



I shall hear them all, 

 And up I'll begin to climb." 



This voice comes from yonder mass of dead leaves. 

 Now we remember that it was from such a place as 

 this that the crosiers grew up in the spring. So we 

 know that these fern children sleep in warm beds. 

 Instead of soft wool blankets like ours, a close cover- 

 ing of brown leaves is provided. Under these they 

 are snug and warm during the cold winter, 



THE MARSH FERN 



Do not think that because this plant is called the 

 marsh fern it always grows in swamps. While that is 

 its favorite dwelling place, it is also found in wet 

 woods and l)y roadside ditches, where 



''O'er the turbid water's l)reast 

 The plumes are waving green." 



It is occasionally seen in dr}' pastures. The fronds 

 that are shown in (lie ])icture wen^ found in a cattle 

 pasture through which nm a small brook. The cattle, 

 by their trampling, had made a soft, water}' mud .-ilong 

 the banks of this stream. Here the ferns had found a 

 spot that suited them. 



28 



