Songs of the Fields 



grows and the most democratic, ^\"atch the won- 

 derful provision of nature in this rapid lengthen- 

 ing of the flower stems so the wind may scatter 

 the seeds far and wide, and douht tlie providence 

 of God if you can. 



The flow^ers show a creamy, jiale yellow in the 

 forest, darker colors and strong green leaves in 

 the swamps, deep yellow and thrifty around the 

 fields, over every hill, and in e\'cry iiollow. Dan- 

 delions creep into gardens and barn lots, and bloom 

 along the roads to the very wheel tracks, every- 

 where developing as their environment will allow; 

 but wherever placed, by some miracle making suf- 

 ficient growth to mature a golden head and per- 

 petuate their family. Just this yellow of dande- 

 lion is the most beautiful color in all the world. 

 It is like strong sunshine, without which our world 

 soon would congeal. Perhaps it is the color God 

 loves best, for He has made the most of His 

 flowers yellow. And He so has arranged the pro- 

 cession that it marches through the season domi- 

 nating other colors wherever it goes, and it travels 

 everywhere. 



Yello^^' covers the breast of earth in dainty sor- 

 rel, violets, six or seven species of cinquefoil, and 

 adder's tongue. It lifts its gold banner high in 

 orchis, crested and fringed; ladies' tresses, and 

 lady's slippers. It waves high in the well-known 

 safi^ron, mullein, goldenrod of many varieties, sev- 



173 



