XIII 



I LIT the question arises, will those Depressing 

 little trees on the hill ever at- SSSff*'" 

 tain a satisfactory growth ? We spri " s ' 

 have various opinions on this 

 matter, our answer being more or less af- 

 fected by the season at which it is put, 

 we have a few ups, and a good many more 

 downs about it. For instance, I know few 

 things more depressing than the sight of 

 conifers in May, when every deciduous 

 tree is putting its best foot foremost, and 

 giving promise of a fine crop of leaves. 

 The Pines and Spruces and Firs which 

 have gladdened our eyes all winter, with 

 their fine green masses relieved against 

 the snow, or standing up bravely from the 

 brown grass in rich contrast to the bar- 

 renness around, now begin to show the 

 sere and yellow leaf. The March sun 

 and winds have burned and browned their 

 tips, the winter storms have buffeted their 



