28 THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 



have been experienced as late as the first of May, 

 and which naturally are harder on the advanced 

 than on the backward crop, read us annually the 

 old story of the hare and the tortoise. For my part 

 I took the advice of one who had made exceeding 

 good with alfalfa, and curbed my impatience in re- 

 gard to early irrigation. It may be added that the 

 first is usually the best crop, as it should be ready to 

 cut before the middle of May, thus avoiding the 

 danger of Summer rains and the impairment by 

 Summer weeds. 



But the darkening evening interrupts ranching 

 meditations and I turn toward the lighted kitchen. 

 Cortes, rather shivery but relieved, jumps as I 

 reach what is to him dry land, and endeavors to 

 bite Betsey's tail. Being somewhat bashful he 

 would not venture on such a liberty were it not that 

 the excitement of our safe return has gone to his 

 head. She growls, and I put her down to adjust 

 her own affairs, and away both little dogs frisk to 

 the open door, Hilda, the big St. Bernard, gambol- 

 ling cumberously after them and making believe to 

 gobble them up. 



Spring, with its rapidly increasing cares, advanc- 

 es rapidly — Spring, when the acequias brim with 

 the brown and rushing flood, and the orchards flush 

 with color on the wing and on the branch, and re- 

 sound with song to match the dazzling plumage of 

 the varied choir. The winter world casts off its 

 mantle of drab and springs to greet the ever rising 

 year. Yet Nature still uses her lightest touch, scat- 

 tering emeralds upon the cottonwoods so warily 



