Music of the Wild 



the heart? Does it stir tlie imagination and force 

 exjiressiou to the lips? If so, it is past monetary 

 value. 



We are not dealing with model farms, and so 

 in tlie liegiiming the upturned earth of my oat field 

 Moon- is beautiful, because at tlie heels of the plowman 

 seed on fQ]io\v larks, ])lackl)irds, l)luel)irds, and robins pick- 

 Fence ii^g grul)s ; and the warm spring air is vibrant with 

 their notes. The field is enclosed liy a straggling 

 old snake-fence overgro^^•u with carrion vine and 

 moonseed; the corners fiHed witli alder, wild rose, 

 nmilkweed, saffron, and wild mustard, and inter- 

 laced with dodder in myriads of fine gold threads. 

 There are big forest trees all around it, making a 

 hedge reaching heavenward. Every insect and 

 bird of the field homes there, and the river sing- 

 ing along on one side adds not only its voice, but 

 the notes of kingfisher, killdeer. sheilpoke, and 

 sandpij)er. 



From a few inches in height the growing oats 

 show a rare blue-green color with frosty lights, 

 seen in no other grain. When the lacy heads are 

 almost matured, and nodding "Good-day" to the 

 level ]-ays of the setting sun, and bowing "Good- 

 evening" to the M'hite lights of the rising moon; 

 when one at a time thousands of fireflies rise from 

 earth, light their lanterns, and begin the business 

 of life; when numberless insects play or sing; 

 when tlie big trees rock softly, cradling sleeping 



198 



