VI. 



AN APRIL RAMBLE. 



Now that Winter and the east winds seem banished at 

 last, and the frost and snow have been driven back to 

 their polar habitudes by a genial April sun, it is a real 

 treat to wander forth into the country lanes once more. 

 All now is life and promise of life. Whichever way we 

 glance we are greeted with unfailing signs of Nature's 

 returning vitality. As the sun mounts steadily up into 

 the northern tropic, plant and animal life unfailingly 

 proclaim his welcome progress. For weeks the farmers 

 have been crying out for rain, the winter store of root 

 crops is exhausted and pasturage is bad. The dry 

 piercing March winds have retarded vegetation ; but, 

 now that the fleeting April showers have come, the 

 thirsty earth already shows signs of improvement. 



Trees, shrubs, and more lowly vegetation everywhere 

 are answering to the gentle wooing persuasion of the 

 April sunshine and showers. The big varnished buds of 

 the horse-chestnuts are swelling out to an enormous size, 

 and here and there on the lowermost branches the fresh 



