In April Weather 57 



table wool, which, in a mild climate, are unneces- 

 sary. 



But we must not infer that every unprotected 

 bud found in northern woods is borne on a vege- 

 table stray from a milder climate. A few northern 

 plants have become so thoroughly case-hardened to 

 winter and rough weather that they have dispensed 

 with protective bud-wrappings. Like some intrepid 

 folk of our acquaintance they get through the cold 

 season without an overcoat, or independent of furs 

 and flannels. 



The winter buds of the blackberry are protected 

 only by a few thin scales, often too short to cover 

 the tips of the young leaves within. Four, or at 

 most six, soft scales have defended the elder leaves 

 and the clustered blossom-buds from last winter's 

 frost. The tender foliage of the " wayfaring- 

 tree" or " hobble-bush " has had no protection 

 save a coating of scurf, and with this scant cloth- 

 ing it can survive a Maine winter. But as a rule, 

 when naked buds occur in our climate they are 

 small, and during winter they lie in hiding, sunk 

 into the bark or even partly buried in the wood. 



The scales which enclose most native buds are 

 imperfect leaves, detailed to do guard duty. 

 Through the winter they have been wrapped 



