WINTER 



pastime to be able to name correctly the leafless 

 trees and shrubs as we drive along the road or 

 flash by on the train. 



The winter buds are a distinct stimulus to our 

 lagging enthusiasm on days when spring seems Winter 

 too distant to be real. Each one is a promise to 5 

 pay at an early date on which we can rely with 

 confidence. The catkins of the alders are deco- 

 rative as well as encouraging, decorative to an 

 unusual degree after a storm when each little 

 tassel enclosed in ice sparkles and quivers in the 

 sunshine like a jewelled pendant. 



Toward the latter part of winter even the un- 

 observant become conscious of these winter buds. Tree-tops 



With the first mild days of February they swell %£" 

 and their color deepens. Especially in the up- 

 permost ones, which receive the greatest share of 

 sunshine, this is noticeable. The pulse quickens 

 as we notice for the first time that the tree-tops 

 on the wooded hill-side, gray and lifeless since 

 November, are flushed with rosy color. The 

 tops of the willows and the osiers are turning 

 golden-yellow. The brambles and many other 

 shrubs take on deep red and purple tints. 



When the sun has melted the snow, or even Root- 

 where you push away the frozen crust, you are 

 surprised to find the bright-green root-leaves of 

 many plants that are not considered hardy, such 



17 



