PASTURES FAIR AND LARGE 



been discovered." Although some of its vir- 

 tues have been discovered, few farmers can 

 remember them, though they can be eloquent 

 concerning its vices. Like a prophet in his 

 own country, the sweet-fern is most appre- 

 ciated by those who in their childhood have 

 not been familiar with it. The camper 

 knows that it is good for bedding and pil- 

 lows, and the artist knows that its rich and 

 varied autumnal coloring of old rose, buff, 

 bronze, and wine makes one feel like drink- 

 ing to it with one's eyes, while the psycholo- 

 gist discovers that its delightfully spicy odor 

 furnishes an unduplicated key to enchanted 

 doors of mystery. 



The Dicksonia, or hay-scented fern, is an- 

 other of the "best families" having one of its 

 permanent residences in the pasture. Such 

 a gracious, friendly little fern it is, snuggling 

 up to any old Caliban of a bowlder, or un- 

 couth stone wall, as if it said, "I don't mind 

 your hard, bony joints; I will cover some of 

 them with my pale green draperies" which 

 it does, running up hill and down with the 

 stone wall and softening its rugged lines, as 



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