248 2 HE IREIGA TION AGE. 



snow. We have many times noticed wheat, where the main body of 

 the drift lay, so thick and heavy as to indicate a forty to fifty -bushel 

 crop, while the balance of the field would not indicate more than five 

 to ten bushels. Was this radical difference due directly to the fact 

 that the snowdrift covered the ground? No, it was due solely to the 

 water that percolated from the melting snow deep down into the soil 

 and returned by capillary attraction to feed the plants, keeping them 

 healthy and growing vigorously long after moisture in the balance of 

 the field was practically all exhausted. 



We will -go into details more fully on these important points in 

 our next. 



THE ORCHARD LANDS OF LONG AGO. 



Oh, drowsy winds, awake and blow, 

 The snowy blossoms back to me, 

 And all the buds that used to be 

 Blow back along the grassy ways 

 Of truant feet, and lift the haze 

 Of happy summer from the trees 

 That trail their tresses in the seas 

 Of grain that float and overflow 

 The orchard lands of long ago! 



Blow back the meody that slips 



In lazy laughter from the lips 



That marvel much if any kiss 



Is sweeter than the apple is. 



Blow back the twitter of the birds 



The lisp, the titter and the words 



Of merriment that found the shine 



Of summertime a glorious wine 



That drenched the leaves that loved it so, 



In orchard lands of long ago. 



Oh, memory, alight and sing 

 Where rosy-bellied pippins cling, 

 And golden russets glint and gleam, 

 As in the old Arabian dream, 

 The fruits of that enchanted tree 

 The glad Aladdin robbed for me! 

 And, drowsy winds, awake and fan 

 My blood as when it overran 

 A heart ripe as the apples grow 

 In orchard lands of long ago! 



James Whitcomb Riiey. 



