Music of the Wild 



tlie heart:' Does it stir tlie inui<)inati()n and force 

 cxpressiciii to the lips? If so, it is past monetary 

 value. 



We are not dealing M'itli niodel farms, and so 



in the l)eginnin<>' the upturned earth of my oat field 



Moon- is heautiful, heeause at the heels of the plowman 



seed on fojig^y larks, bhickhirds, bluebirds, and robins i)ick- 



■a Snake . . . ., . , 



Fence i"8' gi'ubs; and tlie warm spring air is vibrant with 

 their notes. The field is enclosed by a straggling 

 old snake-fence overgro^Mi witli carrion A'ine and 

 moonseed ; tlie corners filled ^ith alder, wild rose, 

 milkweed, saffron, and wild nnrstard, and inter- 

 laced A\it]i dodder in myriads of fine gold threads. 

 There are big forest trees all around it, making a 

 hedge reacliing heaven^\'ard. Kvery insect and 

 bird of tlie field homes there, and the river sing- 

 ing along on one side adds not only its voice, but 

 the notes of kingfisher, killdeer, sheilpoke, and 

 sandpiper. 



From a few inches in height the growing oats 

 show a rare blue-green color with frosty lights, 

 seen in no other gram. When the lacy heads are 

 almost matured, and nodding "Good-day" to the 

 level rays of the setting sun, and bowuig "Good- 

 evening" to the white lights of the rising moon: 

 ^vhen one at a tiiue thousands of fireflies rise from 

 earth, light tlieir lanterns, and begin the business 

 of life; Avhen mmiberless insects play or sing; 

 Avhen the big trees rock softly, cradling slee])iug 



198 



