Things One Sees in Winter 267 



traversing defined paths and roads, although in 

 the brush it would be hindrance rather than help. 



The fields and roads are as full of interest in 

 winter as in the seasons of growth, flower and 

 fruit ; and there is a peculiar invigoration in the 

 cold, clear purity of the air ; so that facing a north 

 wester in the open country or on the hills is 

 welcome and comfortable, and the stirring of the 

 pulse and stiffening of the muscle as one beats 

 against the blast is a keen assertion of life that 

 renews youth. It is wholesome, joyous, triumph 

 ant. One becomes a part of the elements, thrilled 

 with their splendid spirit and force. 



The study of the trees and shrubs dons a new 

 phase and importance. It is true that one does 

 not know these if he does not recognize them by 

 bark and habit, by root and bud. It is a rare 

 woodlander who can surely tell whether an oak in 

 the forest is white, post, red, yellow, scarlet, black, 

 pin, swamp white or chestnut oak. Even in leaf 

 the oaks are difficult, especially in youth, when 

 the extremely variable leaves have not settled in 

 their typical form. In the winter the trunk is the 

 chief object of notice ; when a tree bears its last 

 year s leaves there is some help, but that is not 

 so sure except to the most careful of students. 

 So among the maples there is some difficulty in 

 youth ; in old age there are few trees that do not 



