CONTENTS xi 



SEPTEMBER I 



THE WHEAT-FIELD 



PAGE 



From stalk to grain The less the sowing, the greater 

 the crop The fowls of the air The robber poppies 

 The wheat's poor cousin The weeds of cultivation 

 Cow-wheats Parasites 'Hurtful darnell 'Rabbits in 

 the corn Foxes and stoats 109 



SEPTEMBER II 



HORSE-TAILS 



From the sun-scorched common The fight for the 

 pond Where are the horse-tail's leaves? Girders of 

 flint Games of the voles How flowers are made- 

 Beauty from nuisance Honey glands Floral locks and 

 insect keys ......... 211 



OCTOBER I 



WILD FltUITS 



Hips and haws The sad-eyed greenfinch Reminders 

 of past flowers ' High-bush cranberries' Spindle-wood 

 Why the yewberry is poisonous How to eat sloes- 

 Herb Paris Spurge laurel Deadly nightshade Prickly 

 pear Henbane Cuckoo-pint The luscious whortle- 

 berryPacific winter-green 222 



OCTOBER II 



THE BROWNING OF THE LEAVES 



,How the trees undress The penalty of remaining 

 clothed An experiment with iodine A strategic re- 

 treat Why are empty leaves red? Are they rusty? 

 Reason for St. Martin's Summer Untimely blossoms- 

 Reluctant bedtime Little misers Vole, dormouse, and 

 squirrel The sign of the nut 236 



