FARM PENC1LLINGS AT LAKESIDE. 239 



WINTER LIFE OF PLANTS. 



The cool winds and the hoar frosts of the autumn 

 months have aided in the sad work of stripping the 

 trees, shrubs, and grasses df their rich summer 

 attire, and they are now for the most part standing 

 cheerless and bare. Here and there a late-bloom- 

 ing flower may be seen, or a narrow patch of green 

 grass in some warm, sheltered nook, on the margin 

 of the lake ; but the great and active operations of 

 Nature in building up and sustaining vegetable 

 structures have ceased, and soon a snowy mantle 

 will be cast over field and wood, and the deep 

 sleep of winter will commence. The corn, wheat, 

 and other grains, with the roots and grasses, have 

 been safely housed ; and the farm-work of the sum- 

 mer is ended. The herds seek shelter in barns, 

 the squirrels in trees, and the birds take flight to 

 a sunnier clime. We must imitate their example, 

 and flee from our lake-shore retreat to the library 

 or parlor, where the genial heat from the blazing 

 wood in the open fire-place dispels all feelings of 

 sadness or discomfort, and puts us in a mood even 

 to welcome the reign of snow and ice. As we 

 look out upon the bare fields this morning, we are 

 led to pencil down some thoughts upon the winter 

 life of plants. It is an error to suppose that in 

 winter, in our climate, there is a dead calm in 

 plant life, and that Nature is wholly palsied in her 



