** Probably there is no feeling in the human mind stronger than the 

 love of gardening, and at all times and in all places gardens have 

 been amongst the objects of the greatest interest to mankind/* 



CHARLES DICKENS. 



APRIL 



my window, across the garden, I have looked each 

 morn of late upon a stretch of orchard lands, noticing 

 with delight how each new dawn brings to me a scene lovelier> 

 snowier with blossom than yesterday. It is among these pure 

 fragrant blossoms 



" The rapturous resurrection of the year 

 Finds the radiant utterance perfect, sees the word 

 Spoken, hears the light that speaks it." 



It is along these orchard ways I see the promise of Spring ful- 

 filled as I breathe the fruit-blossom perfumed air, the promise 

 of an abundant ingathering of luscious fruit at autumn-tide. 



How new the world seems after its frost-pent and foggy 

 days of winter, coupled with the joys that seem to be born 

 only at resurrection-tide. The cerise catkins of the quiver- 

 ing aspens are falling upon the woodland paths, proving that 

 in the near future we shall enjoy the shade of their glossy 

 leaves, quivering and sighing even in the stillest day of 

 summer. Although there be such a wealth of blossom, and 

 the promise be so prolific, we cannot be certain that it will be 

 fulfilled ; for, alas ! there are the May frosts to fear. If the 

 quaint old-world sayings be true, we may expect the fulfil- 

 ment of this Spring's promise : 



A bushel of March dust is a thing 

 That's worth the ransom of a king. 



A cold April 



The barn will fill. 



90 



