WINTER PLANTS 



of the deciduous trees will seem to you quite asleep this 

 time of the year. But you can find the buds that will later 

 unfold into leafy shoots and flowers. Where does the syca- 

 more keep these buds ? Where are they on the other trees ? 

 How are these buds protected on the willow ? On the cot- 

 tonwood and the alder? On the fruit trees in your orchards ? 

 If the coverings are not distinct now, you can see them 

 better as the buds begin to swell. Perhaps the ' ' pussies ' ' 

 on the willows are already bursting out. Find out for your- 

 selves what the willow flowers are like and where they keep 

 their honey. The bees know, and you can watch them, they 

 will not mind you in the least. What else do they get be- 

 sides honey? Farther on we shall have a lesson on the 

 awakening of the trees, but they do not all awaken at 

 once, and unless you keep your eyes open all along, you 

 will miss many of their clever ways. 



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