THE SLEEP OF THE TREES loi 



way another of Nature's wondrous mysteries. 



At every "sta/tion" starchy particles mingle 

 with the mounting soil-water and change to glu- 

 cose, so that the sap soon assumes a sweetish 

 character. It is also stored with minute gummy 

 particles — a product of undissolved starch. 

 There are, too, certain mineral substances taken 

 in by the root hairs. But it is the combination 

 of water, grape sugar, and mucilage that the 

 little buds need most. How they thrive upon it ! 



A few days of bright, warm sunshine, and the 

 buds swell and glow with color, each individual 

 tree taking on pale shades of the wondrous 

 tints which marked her autumn dress. Thus, 

 in early spring, we may often tell trees at a dis- 

 tance by the color of their buds alone. The 

 maples show red against the sky; the willows 

 and poplars are yellowish green ; the oaks glow 

 with purplish-red and russet shades ; the birches 

 reveal a chocolate color diverging from their 

 clean white shafts. Everywhere is the joy of 

 awakened life and the glory of the resurrection. 



"And though, on plain and hill, 

 'Tis winter, winter still, 

 There's something seems to say- 

 That winter 's had its day. ' ' 



