386 SPRING FLOWERS, AND 



And now, as the days lengthen and the sun gains 

 power, as May-day has come and passed, the woods and 

 hill-sides bloom with countless blossoms. The grass, tak- 

 ing an early start, has thrown up long green spires, and 

 the hill-side grasses are already in bloom, and waving in 

 the wind their delicate pollen- clad antlers. In the woods 

 spring has come; the maple is lifting a censer of blos- 

 soms, the willows by the stream are yellow with bloom ; 

 the poplars begin to expand their delicate green foliage, 

 and the elms have already dropped their brownish-red 

 blossoms, and hang with their greenish seed-vessels, 

 among which the shootings of the tender leaf may be 

 perceived. Myriads of birds make vocal all the forest 

 aisles, and each woodland path is carpeted with flowers. 

 From so many candidates for our favor, which or what 

 shall we choose ? 



In the woods grow the Anemones, and peep from 

 their borders at the violets, which make blue the fields 

 beyond. Therefore let Anemones and Violets be our 

 choice, flowers loved and welcomed by all. 



How many associations cling around the VIOLET ! What 

 pleasing recollections it recalls ! Who is there that does 

 not love it ? It is a modest flower, never obtruding 



