Springtime in the Country. 



The farmers' wives and daughters hang over the sweet 

 little firstling-flowers each return of spring with the same keen 

 delight as though the world were new born and this their first 

 visit. 



Thus it is : this wonderful resurrection of life and beauty 

 out of the death-sleep of winter has a meaning in it for the 

 country dweller that cannot be comprehended by those who 

 live within the walled and paved streets of the city. 



Reader, did you ever stop to think why our cities spend 

 so much money on their park systems? It is to bring the coun- 

 try, nature God's beautiful outdoors within reach of the 

 poor, pent-up city residents. How eagerly the people flock to 

 them as soon as the warm rays of the spring sun has loosed 

 the little lakes from the icy bonds of winter and turned the sod 

 green ! How quickly the care-worn expression of city strife is 

 replaced with sunny smiles when once among the birds, trees 

 and flowers ! 



Happy indeed should they be who live constantly where 

 they can feel and enter into the spirit of God's works at this 

 awakening season. 



"Gentle spring, in sunshine clad, 



Well dost thou thy power display; 

 For winter maketh the gay heart sad, 



But thou thou makest the sad heart gay!" 



Twentieth Century Farmer. 



[ 101 ] 



