14 



UNAPPECIATED FLOWERS 



While the obdurate frost still holds the bulbs and 

 roots of early flowers in its rigid grasp, many trees 

 seem determined to respond to the promptings of 

 the season. In and about the city the flower buds of 

 the Soft Maple are freely opening and studding the 

 intricacy of twigs with bristling tufts and bunches. 

 Where the tracery of small branches was free and 

 open a few days ago the view is now obstructed by 

 the accumulation of small, unappreciated flowers. 

 But they are real flowers, and that brings them into 

 fellowship with the season of awakening life. Flowers 

 are associated in our minds with the richest textures, 

 and with colours surpassing fancy in their effulgence 

 and delicacy. But the sturdy branches overhead have 

 a floral richness of their own, modest and unadorned, 

 yet claiming a place in the scheme of perpetual trans- 

 mission. In spite of the forbidding aspect of the 

 season, the Soft Maple flowers have already unfolded, 

 the more vigorous and eager male trees defying the 

 chilling reception of lingering snow. The female 

 trees are more reluctant and hesitating, content to 

 come forth only in the most favoured localities. This 

 exclusive arrangement is by no means universal with 



