THROUGH THE YEAR WITH THE FERNS 



pets of mosses and lichens, and the wild fruits and 

 flowers. 



In September some of the late ferns show ripened 

 spores. Then come the bright days of October, when 

 the trees and shrubs are clothed in orange, red, bronze, 

 and yellow. Many of the ferns, too, change color. 

 A few are bleached almost white. Some wear gowns 

 of a 3^ellowish tint, while others dress in brown. Near 

 by is a neighbor in orange. 



All of these gradually disappear until we are left 

 with the evergreen ferns in their sober dresses. Their 

 stems become weakened by the cold and seem unable 

 to hold the plants erect. 



Our coldest winter months come. But even then 

 we find some ferns that are proof against the ice and 

 snow. They nestle close to the earth and are not 

 harmed by the sharp, cold winds that blow about 

 them. Here we may find them if we visit the woods 

 in winter. No trace of green is seen among the others. 

 They look as if they were dead. But listen to what 

 they have to say: 



''You think I am dead," 

 The dainty fern said, 

 "Because I am coiled so small! 

 I never have died, 

 But safe I hide 

 In a soft and fuzzy ball. 

 27 



