THE LURE OF THE BERRY 137 



times, and with a delightful irresponsibility 

 at other times; who likes to move on, now 

 and then, but is happy to kick turf around the 

 edges of the clump if you are inclined to stay. 

 Who takes pride in filling his pail, but is not 

 so desperately single-minded that he is un 

 moved by the seductions of goldenrod in 

 bloom, of juniper and bayberries, of dry gold 

 enrod stalks (for kite sticks), of deserted 

 birds nests, and all the other delights that 

 fall in his way. 



For berrying does not consist chiefly in 

 getting berries, any more than fishing con 

 sists chiefly in getting fish, or hunting in 

 getting birds. The essence of berrying is the 

 state of mind that accompanies it. It is 

 a semi-contemplative recreation, providing 

 physical quiet with just enough motion to 

 prevent restlessness being, in this respect, 

 like &quot;whittling.&quot; I said semi-contemplative, 

 because, while it seems to induce meditation, 

 the beauty of it is that you don t really med 

 itate at all, you only think you are doing so, 

 or are going to. That is what makes it so re 

 cuperative in its effects. It just delicately 

 shaves the line between stimulating you to 



