120 WINTER SUNSHINE 



marmot, hibernating under ground in his nest of 

 leaves and dry grass, more cosy and warm. No 

 frost, no wet, but fragrant privacy and quiet. Then 

 how the earth tempers and flavors the apples ! It 

 draws out all the acrid unripe qualities, and infuses 

 into them a subtle refreshing taste of the soU. Some 

 varieties perish, but the ranker, hardier kinds, like 

 the northern spy, the greening, or the black apple, 

 or the russet, or the pinnock, how they ripen and 

 grow in grace, how the green becomes gold, and the 

 bitter becomes sweet ! 



As the supply in the bins and barrels gets low 

 and spring approaches, the buried treasures in the 

 garden are remembered. With spade and axe we go 

 out and penetrate through the snow and frozen earth 

 till the inner dressing of straw is laid bare. It is 

 not quite as clear and bright as when we placed it 

 there last fall, but the fruit beneath, which the hand 

 soon exposes, is just as bright and far more luscious. 

 Then, as day after day you resort to the hole, and, 

 removing the straw and earth from the opening, 

 thrust your arm into the fragrant pit, you have a 

 better chance than ever before to become acquainted 

 with your favorites by the sense of touch. How 

 you feel for them, reaching to the right and left ! 

 Now you have got a Talman sweet; you imagine 

 you can feel that single meridian line that divides it 

 into two hemispheres. Now a greening fills your 

 hand; you feel its fine quality beneath its rough 

 coat. Now you have hooked a swaar, you recognize 

 its full face ; now a Vandevere or a King rolls down 



