

4 



^! 





*o 



(i' 



On 



The Barberry's Welcome to 

 Master Bom bus 



A CLUSTER of barberry blossoms, 

 probably the best known species of 

 ^"^ the Barberry family, hide within their 



yellow cups a secret well worth learnino;. 



Poets of all ages have loved to dwell upon the 

 llowers — their " swete smels," exquisite forms, fra- 

 grance, and colors. The droning bees in an en- 

 vironment of fragrant bloom have moved many a 

 poetic pen to inspiration. But it is not often that 

 the bards have seen deep enough into the floral mys- 

 teries to immortalize the doings of the blossoms. 



I recall one such allusion, however, with refer- 

 ence to this mischievous blossom of the barberry. 

 How well Hosea Biglow knew its pranks ! 



" All down the loose-walled lanes in archin' bowers 

 The barb'ry droops its strings o' golden flowers, 

 "Whose shrinkin' hearts the school-gals love to try 

 With pins. They'll worry yourn so, boys, bime-by." 



. 37 



