212 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



On the damson trunks are yellowish crystalline knobs 

 of gum which has exuded from the bark. Now and 

 then a leaf rustles to the ground, and at longer inter- 

 vals an apple falls with a decided thump. It is 

 silent, save for the gentle twittering of the swallows 

 on the topmost branches they are talking of their 

 coming journey and perhaps occasionally the dis- 

 tant echo of a shot where the lead has gone whistling 

 among a covey. It is a place to dream in, bringing 

 with you a chair to sit on for it will be freer from 

 insects than the garden seat and a book. Put away 

 all thought of time often in striving to get the most 

 value from our time it slips from us as the reality did 

 from the dog that greedily grasped at the shadow- 

 simply dream of what you will, with apples and plums, 

 nuts and filberts within reach. 



Dusky Blenheim oranges, with a gleam of gold 

 under the rind ; a warmer tint of yellow on the pip- 

 pins. Here streaks of red, here a tawny hue. Yonder 

 a load of great russets ; near by heavy pears bending 

 the strong branches ; round black damsons ; luscious 

 egg-plums hanging their yellow ovals overhead ; bul- 

 lace, not yet ripe, but presently sweetly piquant. On 

 the walnut trees bunches of round green balls note 

 those that show a dark spot or streak, and gently 

 tap them with the tip of the tall slender pole placed 

 there for the purpose. Down they come glancing 

 from bough to bough, and striking the hard turf the 

 thick green rind splits asunder, and the walnut itself 

 rebounds upwards. Those who buy walnuts have no 



