310 CORN AND BEANS, ETC. 



I have often asked myself, could anything 

 in Paradise have surpassed some of our spring 

 days, when the peach, plum, and cherry, and 

 then the pear and apple trees, become huge 

 bouquets ? May and June are Nature's fairy 

 festival not the luxurious richness of mid- 

 summer, nor solid abundance of autumn, is 

 then served up ; but she spreads a dainty, del- 

 icate repast of dews and perfumes, of honey 

 such as flowers distil, and all the glancing, 

 airy creatures of the wing are invited. From 

 every flowering tree comes the hum of small talk 

 as innumerable honey-bees and yellow-jackets 

 sip and gossip ; while ever and anon some great 

 humble-bee goes blundering and booming 

 around, like some important and blustering 

 master of ceremonies. 



But the birds are the wassailers par excellence 

 They eat and drink, sing, fight, and make love 

 with an abandon that. is quite human. 



