THROUGH THE YEAR WITH THE FERNS 



Oh, then most gracefully they wave 



In the forest, like a sea. 

 And dear as they are beautiful 



Ai'e these fern leaves to me." 



THROUGH THE YEAR WITH THE FERNS 



Once uncurled, the ferns spread out their broad 

 leaves and grow and grow. By the first of June their 

 waving fronds may be seen in all directions. Many of 

 them are water-lovers. These grow beside the running 

 brook or in the midst of a tangled swamp. We may 

 also find them on the rocks close to the waterfall. 



''Far upward 'neath a shelving cliff, 



Where cool and deep the shadows fall, 

 The trembling fern its graceful fronds 

 Displays along the mossy wall. 



The wild flowers shun these craggy heights— 

 Their haunts are in the vale below; 



But beauty ever clothes the rocks 



Where Nature bids the ferns to grow." 



During the months of July and August most of the 

 ferns are full of leaves. On the under side of some of 

 the fronds we see the l^rown velvety spores. Other 

 plants have tall branching fruit clusters. These are 



25 



