Songs of the Fields 



shrubs such as papaw and alder, and, if it had op- 

 portunity, no d(Hibt would make a medium-sized 

 tree. The stems are smooth and round, quite deeply The Burn- 

 indented in places with the strain of growth. The '"^ ^"^^ 

 leaves are large, nobly shaped, and variable in 

 shades of color; rather thick for a leaf, and pulpy. 

 The blooms are little clusters of white florets, not 

 at all remarkable. 



The shrub takes its name from the seed pods. 

 These pods are scattered sparsely over a bush, 

 hang from long, graceful stems, and are divided 

 into three or four sections, the shape of M-hich can 

 be seen in the picture, the color coral-pink. Each 

 of these thirds or quarters, as the case may be, con- 

 tains a seed. When the seed is ripe the section 

 opens, forcing the triangles apart and displaying 

 the flame-colored inside. This interior color is the 

 crowning glorj^ and beauty of the bush, for which 

 it is named. There is no doubt at all but the sci- 

 entist who classified it thought of JNIoses and the 

 "burning bush," and so gave that name to the 

 shrub. 



This burning bush, to my knowledge, flourishes 

 in half a dozen diff'erent soils and locations, mak- 

 ing me believe it would be particularly adaptive 

 for lawn ornamentation. These seed pods cling 

 after the leaves fall, and give a touch of brilliant 

 color to their location that would be particularly 

 appreciated, for most of the bushes we buy of our 



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