OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



in its fascinating discoveries and to divide its curious 

 experiences. 



We make an early start and have ample time to ap- 

 preciate the country sights en route, for caravaning is 

 a leisurely sport, and this is doubtless as near caravan- 

 ing as we shall ever get. Occasionally the driver 

 speaks to his big nags and at times even flicks his whip, 

 but both he and they know that it is a mere figure of 

 speech. They jog along in their own free way, and in 

 due time we arrive. 



That is, we arrive at the place where the wagon must 

 be left; whether a mile or half a mile from the grove 

 depends upon the amount of water in the marsh. 

 Rapidly the ground is reconnoitered. Among such a 

 wealth of material decision is difficult. We find dense 

 clumps of the sensitive fern with its rich, heavy leaves; 

 then we are tempted by a strange intertwisted combina- 

 tion of the royal fern's airy fronds with the brake- 

 like fronds of the cinnamon fern. This certainly we 

 cannot leave, although its size is enormous. Carefully 

 the chosen plants are marked, — then with sharp spades 



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